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NAPOLEON 



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A TRAGEDY 



A PROLOGUE. AND FIVE ACTS, 



BY 



R/Sy^DEMENT. 



AUTHOR'S EDITION. 



CHICAGO: 
1876. 

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Entered according to Act of Congress, in tlie year 1876, by 

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 



AUTHOR'S PREFATORY NOTE. 



In the theory that Napoleon was simply inspired 
by the belief that he was the child of destiny, 
there is hardly enough, to my mind, to reconcile 
the strange events and many inconsistencies of his 
remarkable career. I have therefore assumed that 
he was possessed of no less an hallucination than 
tliat, as the peculiar child of destiny, his course was 
directed, or rather suggested, by an actual presiding 
deity whom he personified as Fate. To her he 
conceived that he bore something of the same rela- 
tion as Achilles to Thetis, though recognizing in 
Fate one possessed of no less power than Jove him- 
self. I prefer the word suggested, as it is hardly in 
keeping with the character of Napoleon that he 
would have submitted to more than this even fron^ 
the Immortals. 

The affection of Napoleon for Josephine is pro- 
verbial, and it is hardly necessary for me to do 



4 Author's Prefatory Xote. 

more than affirm that, perhaps, tliere is no recorch^d 
instance of a higher or tenderer love hetween man 
and wife, and yet, love — the strongest passion of 
humanity, in which the sonl readies nearest to 
the Infinite — was made to yield to what would cer- 
tainly have been a lower incentive, had he not be- 
lieved that all heaven and eartli stood in waiting 
for his action. 

I have, it will be discovered, antedated and 
crowded events, and entirely ignored many of the 
most remarkable events and characters connected 
with Napoleon's career. To the Directors, Barras, 
Gohier and Moulins, I have attributed all the con- 
spiracies that appear in the play. Engene de 
Beauharnais, whose age is advanced, did not return 
with Junot and Joseph Bonaparte when the Stand- 
ards and Bulletins were sent to the Directory, as 
appears in the play. These, and other obvious 
deviations from historical accuracy will, it is trusted, 
not diminish the pleasure the author hopes the 
reader will find in this production. In the main it 
is true to history. 

The author claims that the tragic ending of Act 
V. is not far from the actual history of the death 



Author^ s Prefatory Note. 5 

of The Empress Josephine, for the divorce was 
certainly the death-knell of her happiness, and the 
cloud that first dimmed and finally obscured the 
star of Na])oleon. 

To secure as early publication as circumstances 
required, it was found necessary to omit the foot 
notes and appendix, in which due credit is given 
where the author feels indebted. 

K. S. D. 



DEAMATIS PERSOJS'^. 



IN'apoleon Bonaparte (the General of France) ; 

afterwards Emperor Napoleon I. 
Eugene de Beauharnais. 
Joseph Bonaparte. 
LuciEN Bonaparte. 

COMPTE DE BaRRAS. 

Carnot. 

GOHIER. 
MOULINS. 

Larevilliere Lepeaux. 

Letourneur. 

Rewbell. 

Kagideau. 

Count von Coblentz. 

Marquis Manfredini. 

Eeynard (a Soldier); afterwards Valet to the 

Emperor. 
Officer of the Guard, 
augereau. 
Oriani. 
Le Gros. 
Pope Pius YII. 



8 Dramatis Pcrsonoe. 

Joseph Marie Eosa de Tachee de la Pagerie; 

afterwards 
Viscountess de Beauharnais; afterwards 
Empress Josephine. 
Mary (sister of Josephine). 
Princess Augusta. 

HORTENSE de BeAUHARNAIS. 

Euphemia (a Sybil). 

1st, 2d and 3d Members of the Council of the 
Five Hundred. — 1st and 2d Citizens. — 1st, 
2d and 3d Secretaries. — Carbon. — St. Be- 

JEANT. LiMffiLIN. A LiTTLE GiRL. PREL- 
ATES. — Members of Bonaparte Family. — 
Lady Attendants. — Citizens. — Soldiers. — 
Courtiers. — Pag es. — N egroes. 



PROLOGUE 



MARTINIQUE. 

A. bo2/:er loolcing out upon the sea. Inland the 
background, at first undulating, rises to mountains. 

Looking through the bower, the placid surface of 
the uiater is discovered sparkling in the sunlight, 
tvhile at the entrance is suspended a silken ham- 
m^ock ornamented with flowers. 

Upon the opening of the scene, is discovered a 
party of negroes in conversation. 

Ent&r EuPHEMiA. 

EUPHEMIA. 

But yesterday a heavy sky ! 
The clouds hung dark and ominous overhead ; 
To-day ho w beautiful ! And to-morrow — 
Ah ! ah ! 

A Negro {approaching). 
"What have the stars to say for me ? 



12 Prologue. 

EUPHEMIA. 

Tlie stars nre bid from mortal eyes to-day ; 
Too bright a suii shuts oiiL the great beyond 
No less than heavy clouds. 

Kegro. 

Cannot you see 
Beyond clouds or sun ? 

EUPHEMIA. 

All ! wbo can see 
The great futurity ? 

JN'egeo. 

Then I will go. 

EUPHEMIA. 

Stay ! let me look into your band — 
A bappy life awaits you, live in hope. 
Only a few dark days, and then — 

Negko. 

What then ? 

EUPHEMIA. 

Wait patiently and you shall see, sball see. 

[^■1 young negrcss apjrroaches. Euphemia 
takes her hand, gazes into it. Then, 
udthoiit siiealcing, leads her to 1st Ne- 
gro, and, putting her hand in his : 

Your fates are one. 



Prologue. 13 

[ Whereupon all the negr esses rush to have 
their fortunes told. Old Euphemia 
throws up her hands, and, catching 
sight of the aiJiwoaching Josephine, 

\_Exeunt. 

Enter Josephine. 

Josephine. 

Fair sylvan bower ! O, can there be beside tliee, 
So lovely a spot in all the realms of earth ? 
What magic pow'r could give such beauty birth ; 
Such forms and colors exquisite provide thee? 
Thou dreamy scene of happy childhood's vision ; 
Shrine of delights supreme ! sublime elysium ! 

Beneath my feet thy richest carpets spread, 
Of green and gold, with bright-hued flowers blend- 
in o* • 

And, as each petal yields its silvery tips 

Of morning dew, and opes its tiny lips 

To drink the sunlight, sweetest fragrance sending 

On every breath that rises from its bed ; 

Celestial, then, the bird-songs overhead, 

With iEol's softened cadences attending. 

The heaven-kissing mountains rise behind thee, 
O'er whose grand heights the sun first peeps to find 

thee, 
Then rushes down in warm embrace to bind thee. 



14 . Prologue. 

Divinely tinting ere lie will resign thee. 

On either side the enchanted woodland lies — 

Old-fabled labyrinthine mysteries, 

Home of bright fays and goblin histories. 

Above, what grotesque shapes of beauty race 
Through the ethereal azure depths of heaven ! 
And, as the orb of day sinks in the west. 
Kissing the silv'ry wavelet's sparkling crest, 
What crystal splendor to the sea is given ! 
What tints sublime, what matchless colors grace 
Those glory-pictures of mysterious space ; 
Bright ruby forms bathing in clouds of pearl, 
Resting so gracefully in golden world. 

How nature lavishly bestows her gifts — 

But list ! 
Who comes to break upon my revery ? 



\_Enter Euphemia.] 

AVhat is so wonderful. 



Grim prophetess 



Most wonderful ! 



Euphemia. 
Oh, wonderful indeed ! 

Josephine. 
Bad fortune is't, or good ? 



Prologue. 15 

EUPIIEMIA. 

Ah wlio can tell what's good or bad for us ? 
Your hand bodes evil, but your face, your face 
As plainly speaks of happiness — yes, great 
And lofty happiness ! 

Josephine. 

How cautious ! 
'Tis best when one seehs not to be entrapped, 
Yet some great story, wonderful, would tell, 
Having but little semblance of the truth ; 
But proceed grave oracle ! 

EUPHEMIA. 

I dare not 
Speak to you more plainly ! Oh, pardon me ! 
Let me leave you ! 

Josephine. 

Stay ! I command you. Speak ! 

You shall tell on if good or bad it be ! 

You go not from my presence till I hear 

This strange hallucination through and through. 

Euphemia. 

Well, since you order it, I must obey — 
I must obey ! — Your countenance does tell 
That destiny has sealed for you a fate 



IG Prologue. 

AVhicli, strug'gle though you may, cannot he 

changed ! 
Soon you will wed. And ah ! alas ! how soon 
Again husbandless ! And then — 

Josephine. 

Then ! What then ? 

EUPHEMIA. 

You shall be queen of France! Yes, more than 

queen ! 
And then, glorious life ! happiest days 
Shall bless you ! A mighty emperor shall share 
With you his crown.— But ah ! alas ! alas ! 
Misfortune then will come ! — yet, fondly loved, 
A world shall mourn your fall. 

[Rushes aivay. 

Josephine, {laughing). 

Good bye ! good bye ! poor old Euphemia ! 
Seek one who kneels at superstition's shrine. 
If thou wouldst win a name for prophecy. 

\_Goes to hammock and reclines in it. 
" Fate — queen of France — yes, more than queen ! 
And then glorious life ! happiest days 
Shall bless you ! — A mighty emperor shall share 
AVitli you his crown. — But ah ! alas ! alas ! 
Misfortune then " — No ! T '11 not believe it. 



Prologue. 17 

Why do I thus permit my silly tongue 
To prattle o'er this idle prophecy ? 

Enter Mary. 
I am too happy, seeing you, my love ! 
Take my guitar and sing to me. 

[Maey sings, 

[Exit Maey. 

Josephine {coming doivn from hammock). 
Where, where am I? — my hammock? — Martin- 
ique ? 
This is not France ! — Oh ! oh ! — The dream ! the 
dream ! 

[Falls. 

He-enter Maey. 

My sister ! Josephine ! Josephine ! 

\_Goes to JosEEnmE. 

Josephine. 

Oh, Mary, sucli high happiness ! And ah ! 
Such bitter, bitter grief did follow it ! 

Maey. 

Tell me, dear sister ! tell me, Josephine ! 

Josephine. 
You know I have no thought apart from you ; 

2 



18 Prologue. 

That I have ever, ever shared with you 
My confidence, my dearest secret thought ! 
That in my soul I love you as I would 
Find love in heaven But do you forget 
That, from my youth, I never could recall 
The simplest action of the brain in sleep ? 
In dim outline my dreams sometimes return 
Like pictures, yet underneath a veil 
Of mystery. But, when I seek to lift 
The veil tliey vanish ! vanish ! and I see 
Only th' incorporeal air. 

\_Exeunt. 

[A storm is heard approaching in the dis- 
tance. It grows nearer ; then clouds 
pass over the sea, as seen through the 
hower, followed by lightning and deep 
Tolling thunder. 

. * [_Cur tain falls. 



NAPOLEON AND JOSEPHINE. 

ACT I. 

Seventeen years are supposed to have elapsed. 
SCENE FIEST. 

PARIS. 

IIeadquarters of General-in-Chief Bonaparte, 

Officer of the Guard and Reynard {a Soldier) dis- 
covered. 

Reynard. 

You 'ave live in La Corsica? You know ze 
General ? 

Officer. 

The fellow speaks English — [aside. 

Yes, have known' him from childhood — was with 
him at Brienne. 

Eeynard. 
Ze school of ze militaire ? 



.20 Napoleon and Josephine. [act i. 

Officee. 

He remained there until he was sixteen years 
of age. He was always a mystery to us — 

Reynaed. 
Ah, ha ! 

Officee. 

and kept himself apart from us, wearing a sombre 
visage — 

Keynaed. 
Zc look mysterieux ! 

Officee. 

and seemed ever wrapped in thought. I have 
known him to walk for liours with folded arms 
and head bent low, oblivious to all about him. 

Eeynaed. 

He vas look in ze futuaire, ze great futuaire of 
La Belle France ! 

Officee. 

He lived almost wholly to himself, his books and 
his thoughts; but, with a quiet dignity, he ever 
bore courteous demeanor, and his friendship was 
sought by all. The champion of the cause of the 



SCENE I.] Napoleon and Josephine. 21 

feeble and oppressed, he had no sympathy with 
petty tyranny, and ruled us all with a grave au- 
thority that we obeyed, not knowing why. 

Keynakd. 

Ah, ha ! Zat is ze qualite militaire ! He will 
be Yun great General. 

Officer. 

To me he was ever frank, and I became ac- 
quainted with many strange and mysterious theories 
through him ; one of which was a divination from 
numerical formula. 

ReYNAFvD. 

Ze look in ze futuaire ! 

Officer. 

From the mythology of the ancients he had con- 
ceived a strange theory of his own, and I think 
believed in an actual presiding deity who shaped 
his own paj-ticular destiny. 

Reynard. 

Ah, ha ! He believe in ze gods of ze Greek and 
ze Roman ? 

Officer. 
Not altogether as the Greeks and the Romans 



22 Napoleon and JosepJdne. [act i. 

believed in tliem, but in the . se^^arate forces they 
represented. 

Eeynaed. 

Sooblime conceptione ! 

Officee. 

But upon these subjects he was very reticent. 

Reynard. 

'Ave not mooche to speak — ze great man 'ave 
not mooche to speak — he 'ave ze t'ought — ze con- 
ceptione magnifique ! ze graand idea ! ze look in ze 
futuaire. 

Officer. 

I was with him at Toulon, and often near him, 
for he mixed with ujg where the fight was hottest, 
clieering and directing our movements. Once, 
when the shells flew thick above us, a cannon-ball 
took off the head of an artillery man, as he was 
in the act of applying the match. Tlie General 
stooped, and taking the match from the dead man's 
hand, discharged the gun, and then, for several 
hours, kept his post with the rest of us. 

Reynard. 
Proud empressmcnt! He 'ave ze graand cour- 



SCENE I.] Napoleon and Josephene. 23 

age! Ab, monsieur, he 'ave ze graand courage! 
Ah, ha ! you 'ave remembaire ze Thirteenth Ven- 
demiaire ? Ab, mon Dieu ! ze scream of ze vim- 
men ! ze shout of ze soldiare ! ze moan of ze dying ! 
ze streets run vis ze blood ! ze cannon roar like ze 
deep tundiare! Ze balls viz, phew! round ze 'ead 
of ze General ! He valk in ze blood ! He 'ave no 
change in ze face — ze look impassione ! But he 'ave 
ze fire in ze eye ! Ah, ha ! he 'ave ze fire in 
ze eye ! 

Officer. 
'T was this success that made him General. 

Eeynard. 

Vun graand jour for La Belle France to make 
him General ! 

Officer. 

I should have been glad to witness the scene 
when he rushed into the convention, and, by his 
eloquence, turned the tide of affairs. 

' Reynard. 

I vas on ze guard, I see and 'ear it all. Zat vas 
vun graand jour, long to be remembaire. Ze con- 
ventione 'ave no 'ead, no queue ; ze membaire all 
speak at vun time — " Ze Sections 'ave ze viotoir ! 



24 Napoleon and Josephine. [act i. 

Ze Sections 'ave ze victoir / " come ze vord all ze 
vile. Zen come ze armistice from General Menou! 
Hell Sacrement ! ze confusione, ze uproar ! Ze 
President, Barras, lose all control. Ah ha ! voilaf 
Ze young man viz ze pale face ! He rush in ze 
conventione ! He stop to catch ze bress, and look 
vis ze fire eye — zen he make vun graand speech ! 
Ah mon Dieu ! Ze passion e, ze eloquence ! He 
say ze conventione mus not lose vun leetle moment. 
I no can remembaire ze grand speech, but he make 
vun ver' graand speech ! Zen ze conventione give 
ze command to ze young man viz ze pale fiice — ze 
command of ze soldaire. Ah, mon Dieu ! Zat vas 
vun graand joiir for La Belle France. 

Officee. 

But see, he comes ! Let us withdraw. 

\_Exeunt. 

Enter Boxaparte. 
Bonaparte. 

'Tis said that when these eyes first saw the light. 
They gazed upon a piece of tapestry, 
AVhereon were painted Iliad's tragic scenes. 
And that my father on the bed of death 
Kecurring to this circumstance of birth, 
Made honorable mention of my name, 



SCENE I.] Ncqjoleon and Josephine. 25 

And said, " Napoleon's sword shall one day rule 
And triumph o'er all Europe's haughty pride ! " 
— How has this thought coursed ever through my 

b]-ain ! 
Dear childhood ! glorious youth ! what memories 
Linger now with you ! What wondrous visions 
Hover over you, of future greatness 
And immortal fame ! How, adown the years. 
The one great thought oi poiver reigned supreme ! 
How do the boundless resources of soul. 
Armed with this thought, cry Onward ! ever on ! 
Why should I doubt its inspiration's source, 
When in my dreams it rings out as a voice 
Forth from the lips of the great goddess Fate ? 
— Odd years do intervene 
Between her visits on my natal hour, 
Yet each recurring year adds one more star 
Unto the crown she holds above my head. 
— Seven and three, twice three, and seven, and 

three — 
The divination of a unity ! 
I '11 doubt no more ! 
Jacta est Alea ! 

— Thou supreme -goddess Fate, my mother, hail ! 
Lo ! let the firm alliance now be sealed ! 
Lead on ! lead on ! 
About it now, good brain, 
Thou never- restins; ! We are dauntless now ! 



26 Naiioleon and Jo8ci:>hhie. [act i. 

Conceive, and She shall help to execute, 
The Indomitable Will ! 

[^4 no'ue of qiiarrelmg and strife ivithout. 

Enter Soldier of the Guard. 

Soldier. 

General, a youth in hot impatience 

AVaits without, demanding quick admission. 

Bonaparte. 

Demanding ? "Well, his name I 

Soldier. 

Eugene de Beauharnais. 

Bonaparte. 

Admit him ! Stay ! Let him be attended ! 

\_Exit Soldier. 

Enter Eugene, {attended.) 

Bonaparte. 

Your business must be urgent. Sir, indeed, 
Since you do knock so loudly for admission. 

Eugene. 

Urgent indeed, thou vicegerent of death ! 



SCENE I.] Napoleon and Josephine. 27 

For at the hands of this base government 
We have received such wrongs as loudly call 
For honest reparation or revenge ! 
And at the bar of God will louder call, 
For, jmy as best you can, you cannot jDay 
The price that He puts on a single soul. 
My mother claims a husband at your hands ; 
She has a son and daughter who both claim 
A father, murdered by your da-mned decree ! 
Oh, hell, ope wide your jaws and swallow up 
The hideous monsters who now prey on France ! 

BONAPAETE. 

Dare you say the Eepublic murdered your father ? 

Eugene. 

Aye ! More I dare ! For what now can I lose ? 

Thousands of the noblest and best blood 

That e'er gave strength to France, were, by this 

same 
Republic which you serve, untimely sent 
To moulder in their graves ! The very earth 
Grew sick, being so forced to overfeed 
On human carcasses. But I came not 
To plead for France, or for my father who 
Now rests, thank God ! beyond your wicked pow'r! 
I claim my father's sword which recently 
Your soldiers forced away. For it was mine, 



28 Napoleon and Josephine. [act i. 

And ou it I have sworn to be like him 
Who nobly bore it in his country's cause. 
My mother bade me take that oath 
And I will keep it sacred while I live. 

Bonaparte. 

You seem right noble ; vrhat have you to plead 
Why the great mandates of your country should, 
In your case more than others, be ignored ? 

Eugene. 

That which should be a nation's gratitude 
To one who ever valiantly did fight 
On many bloody, hard contested fields 
In her defense, and who at last was slain, 
To appease the wrath of her most deadly 
And inveterate enemies ! 
That just right of protection which belongs 
To those who are the widows, daughters, sons 
Of the clefenders of their country's cause 
Why, sir, the spirit of true chivalry 
Hobs not the dead nor strikes a fallen foe, 
But to his widow and his orphans gives 
As strong an arm as to his own dear rights. 
Why gave you up my father's property, 
And held it not as lawful confiscate 
If that he was a traitor, worthy death ? 
And now you take his sword ! 



SCENE I.] Napoleon and Josephine. 29 

What greater right to it than to his lands ? 

What vahae is to you this sword ? 

On whom woukl you presume to buckle it ? 

Not in the confines of the Eepublic 

Could be found one who would be worthy of it. 

Bonaparte. 

But should I give it you, will you consent 
To take an oath that you will wear it 
Only in your country's cause ? 

Eugene. 

A double oath ? 
If one were virtueless, what greater power 
Would bind me in the second? Said I not 
That on my father's sword, before high heaven, 
I promised to my mother I woukl be 
Like liim ? And who will dare to say that he, 
My noble father, was a traitor ? 
Or think you that an oath would record find 
In heaven given to you, and one before 
My mother be refused. 

Bonaparte. 

Your mother is, 

No doubt, a virtuous, good old lady. 



30 Napoleon and Josepldne. act i. 

Eugene. 
My mother is both virtuous and good — 
Too good, too good and pure that from her eyes 
Heartless and wicked men shouhl cause to flow 
Such very floods of tears. 

Bonaparte. 

Have you no fear, 
That with such bold vehemence you upbraid 
The rulers of Great France ! 

Eugene. 
I had just returned 
From St. Germain ; and when I saw 
A vacant place upon the wall where once 
Did hang my father's sword, and too was told 
How in base mockery and sacrilege 
It had thence been ta'en — 
And when my mother's weeping eyes, blanched 

cheeks 
And trembling form confronted me, I rushed 
Out in the street and swore I'd have that sword 
Or die in fighting for it ! 

Bonaparte. 
Come to my arms, thou noble, noble youth ! 
Happy mother, what else so e'er betide 
Whom gracious Heaven has blessed with such a 

son ! 



SCENE I.] Najioleon and Joscfhine, 31 

Happy the land that claims thee for her own ! 
Now thou shalt have thy father's sword — 
Bring forth Beanharnais' sword ! 

\_Exit soldier, wlio returns with sivord.'] 
It shall he thine ! 
There, I will huckle it upon thy thigh. 
Now go, and bless thy mother with the sight 
Of a most noble and most worthy son ! 

Eugene {Jcissing sivord). 
Oh, General, 'tis well sometimes to lose. 
Else should we know how sweet it is to find. 

[Exit, attended. 
Ah ! 'tis too true ! 

Too true the story of this noble youth ! 
France has passed through that unnatural fire 
Which well nigh has consumed her gold and left 
But miserable dross. 
She had drained the intoxicating cup 
Of liberty, and it had made her mad. 
But the royal blood of her own children. 
Of which she drank so freely, at last cooled 

Her burninoj mania. 

[Exit. 



'O 



Re-enter Officer and Beynaed. 

BeYNAFvD. 

Bravo ! bravo for ze young man ! By gar, he is 
vun brave Frenchman. 



32 Napoleon and Joscpliine. [act i. 

Officer. 
He IS a noble fellow ! I knew his father. 

Eeyxard. 

Ke is vun brave young man ! He 'ave ze grand 
courage. By gar! I loafe ze young man. He vill 
make vun brave soldiaire. 

Officer. 

A mother may well be proud of such a son. 
Have you seen her ? 

Eeynard. 

La Viscountess de Beauharnais f S'e 'ave ze 
beauty of Martinique, ze grace and polish of 
France. S'e 'ave ze divine perfectione ! Ah, Mon 
Dieu, ze voice ! S'e 'ave ze voice of ze ^Eolian ! 
You 'ave 'ear no sweet music till you 'ave 'ear zat 
voice !■ 

Officer. 
You grow eloquent in her praise. 

Eeynard. 

Yen you 'ave seen la Belle Dame de la Belle 
France. Ah ha ! you 'ave ze eloquence. 



SCENE I.] Najjoleon and Josephine. 33 

Officer. 

She must have wedded young to be the mother 
of so old a son, and yet retain such wondrous 
beauty. 

Reynard. 

You 'ave ze right, but ze young man is not so 
old as he look. 

Officer. 
Why do you speak English ? 

Keynard. 

Ze General 'ave tell me I mus' mastaire ze lan- 
guage. I mus' obey my General. 

Re-enter Bonaparte. 

Bonaparte. 

To Reynard.] 

This to the Directory. \_Giving dispatch. 

\_Exeunt Officer and Eeynard. 
Carnot is true as steel ! — I like not Barras, 
Nor will I trust him. 
That man, whose greatest satisfaction 
Is persecution and severity 
To enemies, can have no friend so dear 
But who, if not subservient to him 
In his basest ends, he '11 sacrifice. 
Though he your shoe may buckle day by day. 



34 Napoleon and Josephine. [act i. 

'T is only that you wear it out for liim. 

Barras befriends me, 

Since I did help him on to Lis renown, 

But let my service cease — farewell Barras ! 

Carnot is noble, and to him I go 

For my commission into Italy. 

Give me sweet fame, sweet f\ime, O Italy ! 

And I will bury deep the memories 

Of the Thirteenth Vendemiaire. 

Mite?' a Soldier. 

Soldier. 

The Viscountess de Beauharnais requests an au- 
dience. 

Bonaparte. 

Admit her. 

\_Entcr Josephine.] 

At your service, Madame. 

Josephine. 

General Bonaparte : 

I come to pay that tribute which belongs 
To him who saw more touching eloquence 
In youthful words and face than soldiers saw 
In woman's tears. And in the name of him 
Who once so honorably bore the sword 



SCENE I.] Napoleon and Josephene. 3o 

Which you have generously returned to us, 
His widow and his children, I thank you ! 
And, if the vehemence and fire of youth 
Suggested bitter words in our Eugene, 
A^ccept our deep regret and pardon him ! 

Bonaparte. 

Viscountess de Beauharnais : 

Too well I know the justice of the cause 

For which he spoke to censure him. Bather 

Would I praise his noble heroism. 

Through wreck of empire and the clouds of war 

How few are left of all the pride of France ! 

Josephine. 

How few — how few. Yet truth undisciplined 
To gentle words, urged on by outraged justice 
And impetuous youth, though it be truth. 
May give offense, stepping beyond the bounds 
Of that true courtesy which indeed belongs 
Even to passion. I can hardly hope 
But that Eugene spoke hastily, and owes 
A just apology, the which would I 
Now pay for him. 

Bonaparte. 

Too proud am I for France, 

In that she should have left to her a son 



36 Napoleon and Josephine. [act i. 

Who dares plead eloquently for the right 
Against a fearful odds, not counting costs. 
Apologies from Eugene ! Kather say 
From France. 

Josephine. 

Accused he not you, General, 
Being in power ? 

Bonaparte. 

The military 
Is but the automaton of nations. 
The soldier only knows obedience, 
Thouoh it should lead him to the cannon's mouth. 
Eugene did know this, and his charges laid 
With words well seasoned at the proper door, 
For which most truly do I honor him ; 
And, by your gracious leave and his consent. 
Would help him to preferments whence he may 
Have opportunity to prove to France 
And all the world, a true nobility 
And lofty genius. 

Josephine. 

I thank you — thank you ! 
Ah, Sir, I had despaired of France ! Poor Fi-ance ! 
Oh, save our country, and in tribute we 
Your subjects will forever, ever bless you ! 

\_Offers to go. 



SCENE I.] Napoleon and Josephine. 37 

BONAPAKTE. 

Stay! One moment, pardon me! 

Madam, give me but leave to be yonr guest, 

And though in France you find but little hope, 

You may an honorable frienship find 

In her General. 

Josephine. 

For such distinguished honor 
I should only be too grateful. 

\_Offers to go. 

Bonaparte. 

One moment more! You are unattended — 
My guard awaits your service. 

Josephine. 

I thank you! 
But, General, you forget my schooling. 
The woman who could pass through Robespierre's 

reign. 
Has little of that feeling now called fear, 
Still less with Bonaparte chief General. 

\_Exit. 



38 Napoleon and Josephine. [act i. 

Bonaparte. 

It cannot be a clream! 

Of such perfection, dream could ne'er conceive! 

— Nay, I am sensible to feeling, touch, 

Sight, sound — it is, it is reality! 

I breathe — my heart beats — God! 'twill leap from 

me! 
— Oh, insignificant and pallid orb. 
What lonel}'- twilight's left since she has gone ! 
Now will I have thee, though it cost all France ! 
All France! 

Oh, beggar's gift! Crowns, scepter, power 
AA'ill I add to it — aye, till all the world 
Shall do tliee homas-e! 
Lands, rivers and great oceans, vieing each 
Shall yield their choicest gems to deck thy 

crown. 
And fairest climes their flowers, whence gentle 

dews, 
Quick'd i' the roseate light shall rise for thee, 
In spray of rare perfume, divinely sweet I 
On earth an universal happiness. 
For thou shalt be the Queen ! 
— Oh insufficiency! 
Thou sliouldst have heaven ! a coronet of stars ! 



SCENE I.] Napoleon and Josephine. 39 

— If, in the Directory 

Good Carnot should succeed — I must have France, 

And Italy shall lead me to the throne. 

France mine, and I have won the stepping-stone 

To universal empire. — Now, Glory 

Clasps hands witli Love, and Fate, supreme o'er 

all, 
Points forward ! 

[Exit. 



40 Naiwleon and Joseiyhine. [act i. 

SCENE SECOND. 

THE DIRECTORY. 

Caenot, Barras, Laeevilliere Lepeaux, Rewbell and 
Letoueneur ; — Rewbell presiding. 

Kewbell. 

Citizen Directors : 

Again have we assembled in the name 

And by the vested power of the Republic. 

Let only wisdom's counsels here prevail, 

That all the land may safety see in us ; 

That tenderly we nurse our infant state 

Through all the episodes of growing strength — 

Happy childhood, ambitious youth, e'en to 

A full-groAvn noble manhood. 

We are but yet a bold experiment 

Which oft before has wrought a sad defeat ; 

Let not our children write upon our tombs : 

These were the fathers who but vainly sought 

To give to the Republic longer life. 

But, to forego a formal opening speech, 

Consuming time which is so precious now, 

'T is well we fall to work. 

Citizen Director Carnot, 

Have you report to make toucliing the strength 

And disposition of our armies ? 

We are in waiting for it, if so be. 



SCENE II.] Napoleon and Josephine. 41 

Carnot. 

Citizen, President, and Directors : 
As last reported, all goes slowly on. 
'Tis well, I tliink, that we do quickly make 
Some changes in our officers, and add 
New lives to our wasting armies. 
I need not trace the detailed history 
Of that unfruitful, indecisive war 
Which for the last four years France has main- 
tained 
Against the Austrian and Sardinian arms — 
Too well is known to all of you our loss, 
Too palpable our national disgrace. 
Year by year, we have barely met the foe, 
On narrow battle-fields, mid deep defiles 
Of towering Alps, and neath the craggy feet 
Of the Ligu»rian Appenines — met. 
But not vanquished — only exchanged our blows 
For blows which we received. Till now, 
An army weak, and miserably clad. 
Without provisions wholesome e'en for brutes, 
Kelaxed in discipline, ambitionless. 
Cursing their country, and no less themselves 
For its neglect, their own torpidity ; 
Five-and-thirty thousand of such men as these, 
And an imbecile for General, 
Are all that now is left to us of what 
Was once a noble army of brave men. 



42 Napoleon and Josephine. ^act 

Look around you! What have we to meet? 
England, Austria, Bavaria, Piedmont, 
Naples, and some minor States of Germany 
And Italy — all joined to Austria's league. 
The key is Italy, 
Held by the army of Beaulieu, 
Full sixty thousand brave, well-marshaled men. 
AVhat follows? 

Shall we retain as General, Scherer, 
Because there is no bold apparent crime 
On which to bring an accusation ? 
AYhat greater crime can generals commit 
Than failure? 
No less we need. Directors, 
Than one who can at once inspire with life 
And a new courage give our broken troops. 
With genius to command and marshal them 
To victory ! 

E'en such an one have we 
In Toulon's conqueror, our once defender, 
Now our General, Napoleon Bonaparte. 
With all due courtesy to others' views, 
I do a step most firmly advocate 
Deposing General Scherer, and his place 
Give o'er to Bonaparte. 

Lepeaux. 

Citizen Directors : 

Let us guard well, lest those may be deposed 



SCEJSTE II.] Napoleon a7id Joseijhine. 43 

Whom circumstances have combined against, 
And, tli,ough possessing ample skill at arms, 
Have made short j^rogress. 

Barras. 

Citizen, President, and worthy colleagues : 

The very force and weight of argument 

Of worthy Citizen Carnot, must be 

To all apparent. France long has been disgraced 

By sad mismanagement in Italy. 

'T is well we look to it. 

Now press on every hand the combined force 

Of Austria and her firm allies. 

To right, to left, without, within, around, 

And everywhere the foes of France are thick! 

Sleeping or waking, we are beset with spies. 

Our councils filled with foul distempered knaves. 

Our people, by old feuds held separate. 

Sowing germs of discol'd quick'd i' the sun 

At every noon. 

Who knows but by to-morrow's dawn 

We shall find safety only in defense 

Or flight from some self-constituted power. 

Like that of the Thirteenth Vendemiaire ? 

We stand too long fearing lest we offend ! 

The times demand quick action — let 's amend ! 

The key of Austria's strength is Italy ! 

The key of our success is Italy ! 



44 J^a'poleon and Josepldne. [act r. 

Then let us strike the foe in Italy ! 

First bring we home this Scherer, long worn out, 

A rank offense to France and to our arms ; 

Supplant him with our Bonaparte, and give 

"Achilles" a fair field for enterprise. 

Then shall proud Austria -and her allies feel 

What 't is to meet the great Republic's steel ! 

Letourneur. 

Citizen Directors : 

Do we forget our hero 's but a youth 

Compared to those whose fame is no less great. 

Who have grown gray in honorable service ? 

The Corsican, in truth, deserves great praise. 

But is not Italy too heavy weight 

For strength so tender ! Why look you, I pray. 

He is scarce twenty-five — 

Carnot. 

Aye ! almost as young, good Letourneur, 
As Alexander ! Scipio ! or Conde ! 
Why, worthy sir, our Bonaparte has lived 
A quarter of a century ! 

Kewbell, Pres. 

Citizen Directors : 

Our subject is too w^eighty for great haste, 

I pray you now at once give o'er debate 



•SCENE II.] Napoleon and Josephene. 45 

Until we next convene. Meanwhile reflect 
As well becomes the step we are to take. 

[Exeunt all hut Baeras. 

Baeras. 

Yes, yes! for young "Achilles" the best place 

Is Italy ! 

He grows too fast — I'll nip him in good time 

Ere this green fruitage of his glory 

Shall ripen into ^^ower. 

Now, then, "Achilles," ho ! for Italy ! 

Oh, dear Beaulieu, Barras sends, greeting thee. 

Petit "Achilles." 

\_ExiL 
Beynaed. (Coming from concealment.) 
Ah ! ha ! Monsieur Barras ; Beynard, ze fox, 
vill make zis graand speech to ze General. By 
Gar, I vas like to pique you vis my rappier ! 

[Exit. 



46 NapoUon and Josephine. [act r. 



SCENE THIED. 

Draioing-room of Yiscotintess de BEAunAENAis. Jose- 
phine, Augusta arid Baeras, toith number of Ladies 
and Gentlemen, in conversation Bonaparte off to 
himself. 

[JExit all hut Bonaparte and Josepiiexe. 

Bonaparte, 

Your pardon, Madam ! 

' Twas not through want of due respect that I 

Was so oblivious — 

Your chart of Italy is most correct, 

Though small, as I have learned of it ; 

When overwhelmed in thought it is my fault 

That I, oftimes, neglect the courtesy 

That rightfully is due to — 

Josephine. 

You certainly are quite excusable ! 

For, in these days, those who protect our land 

Have little time for social intercourse. 

Bonaparte. 

Most true — most true — 
And yet the object of my visit hero 
Is of a, nature least 'akin to war — 
I am in love. 



SCENE III] Napoleon and Josephine. 47 

Josephine. 

Not always least akin to war, 

Good General, but very often brings 

Its victims least of peace. Yet, may I know, 

Since you already volunteer so much, 

The name of her so honored with the love 

Of Toulons' conqueror, the General of France? 

BONAPAETE. 

With all my heart, as all my heart is yours ! 
I love you ! Be my wife ! 

Josephine. 

Is it a jest 
You would indulge ? 

BoNAPAPvTE. 

Look I as one who jests ? 
My life has been 

As restless ever as a storm-tossed sea. 
Seeking something it could not find, 
Seeking it knew not what, yet feeling 
As if it were no more than half itself. 
I said, ' It is ambition,' sought for fame. 
And easily obtained it ; yet a thirst 
Burning and torturing me was unquenched. 
Above the clang 
Of clashing steel, the din of frightful war, 



48 Najpoleon and Josephine. [act i. 

Still came a soul-cry yet unsatisfied, 
When, like an angel spirit all unbid, 
Thou didst appear, dear empress of my soul ! 
— In silence looks the Supreme Goddess down, 
Still beckoning me on to other fields. 
Lo ! in defiance of all power above, 
Beneath, I claim your hand, and at your feet 
Will prostrate all ! aye, even to a world ! 

Josephine. 

Marriage 

Is fraught with consequence but less than death ! 

One for this life seals a fate, the other 

For that longer life which is to come. 

Bonaparte. 
Though well assured of this, still do I urge 
My suit. 

Josephine. 

But have you well considered all. 
My age, my children and my former love ? 

BoNAPAPvTE. 

All this and more, and more. 
Josephine. 

What more ? 



SCENE III.] Napoleon and Josephine. 49 

Bonaparte. 

Myself. 

Josephine. 
I do not understand. 

Bonaparte. 

My love is all 
That I can offer in exchange for these — 
But oh, that love is life, soul, all ! my heaven ! 
— Speak ! Is't or life or death ? 

Josephine. 

Oh do not think my life currents run cold ! — 
Experience makes us considerate. 

Bonaparte. 

"The future, the fair future is before us ; 
Life will date anew from that bright moment 
We are one. Love is an eternal springtime ! 

Josephine. 

Nay, do not pause, speak on ! Your words do 

thrill 
With that strange ecstacy of which I've dreamed 
Though never felt till now — 
Ah ! Ah ! that fate should stand between us ! 

4 



50 2sa])oleoii and Josephine. [act i. 

Bonaparte. 

Fate! 

Can it be that Fate appears to her ? (aside.) 

Josephine. ' 

It seems stern fate forbids that I should be 
The wife of General Bonaparte. 

Bonaparte. 
Madam, do you seek to trifle with me ? 

Josephine. 

No ! No ! I am indeed most serious ! 

I cannot be your wife since I am destined 

To be Queen of France. 

Bonaparte. 

Pray you, explain ! 

Josephine. 

In Martinique a prophetess foretold 
My fortune. So far, her words oracular 
Have been fulfilled ; conclude I, then, the rest 
Will yet be realized. 

Bonaparte. 

Give me her words ! 



SCENE III.] Napoleon a7id Josephine. 51 

Josephine. 

" You shall be Queen of France. Yes, more than 

Queen ! 
And then, glorious life ! happiest days 
Shall bless you ! A mighty Emperor shall share 
With you his crown ! 
But ah ! alas ! misfortune then will come ! 
Yet, fondly loved, a world shall mourn your fall.' 

BONAPAKTE. 

To Fate I bid defiance ! Be my wife ! 

Josephine. 
Your wife — your wife — 

BoNAPAKTE. 

Aye, my wife ! 

You muse right strangely. Gather the clouds 

So darkly in the morning sky of love ? 

Josephine. 

Nay ! It seems the rose-tint deepens 
As I gaze upon the rising beams of light ! 
And now it melts into the white ! And now 
A flood of glory bathes the world ! 
Oh is it now the morning of my life ? 
The night was long and dark, so dark ! 



52 _ 2\apoleon and Josepliiiie. [act i. 

Bonaparte. 

No. night 
Less glorious than the clay, with such a star 
As thou to hallow it ! 

Josephine. 

Art thou the Sun 
That lifts the sable curtains of my night ? 
Oh world ! Thou art too small for this hour's 
ecstacy ! 

BONAPAETE. 

Oh come, and we will rise even beyond 
This hour ! Aye, even to comj^anionship 
Of gods ! 

Josephine. 

Ah, let me lean upon thee first ; 
Yet am I weak, and tremble 'neath my load 
Of joy! When I am stronger I will learu 
To bear my rapture. 

Bonapaete. 

Thou skalt be queen of France ! and reign, 
As now, most absolute o'er my fond soul ! 
Fair Empress, e'er your hand the scepter bear, 
Let it receive, in token of fealty, 
A kiss most sacred since it is my first. 



SCENE III.] Kaidoleon and Josephme. 53 

Enter a Page. 
Page. 
Le Monsieur Ragideau. 

Josephine. 

To Bonaparte^ 
'T is some affair of business, I think. 

Bonapaete. 
Give liim audience, I will retire. 

\_Retires to recess in draivlng-room. 

Josephine. 



Admit Monsieur Eagideau 



\_Exit Page. 



Enter Ragideau. 

Ragideau. 

There is a private matter, not indeed 
So much of business as interwoven 
With your prosperity and happiness. 
And, with deference to your prerogative, 
I should be found unworthy of your trust 
As honorable Advocate, should I 
Not warn you of so hazardous a step 



54 Ncqooleon and Josci^lilne. act i. 

As that you contemplate in second marriage. 
Your friends have looked with much alarm 
Upon this change, fraught with so great hazard. 

Josephine. 

Our affairs, it seems, are known by others 
Ere they come to us. (aside). 

But my dear Advocate 
Do you share with my friends in this alarm ? 

Ragideau. 

Madam, you are rich and independent ; 

Five-and-twenty thousand francs is no mean sum 

To come in yearly — too much to give away. 

You are young, beautiful ! yes, beautiful ! 

I am no flatterer, madam, tliat you know ; 

I am your Advocate, and I tell you. 

You can command who e'er you will. 

General Bonaparte may be noble. 

Good, generous, brave — he is a soldier, 

And poor — he must abide the fate of war ; 

He must be separate from you — live so, 

For 'tis a soldier's lot — Fame is not sure. 

There are few Csesars, Alexanders few. 

Yet millions have their graves untimely found, 

Seeking that which few do gain. 

Put each of you the same at stake, Madame, 

The case would then be very different ; 



SCENE III.] Napoleon and Josephine. 55 

But in tlie scale, all else being equal, 
Your purse would quite outweigh his sword and 
hat. 

Josephine. 

But he is honorable, brave and true ! 
Worships me as his idol ! — Have I not 
A purse that 's strong enough for both ? 

Bagideau. 

Let me suppose a case : — You marry ; — 

Another revolution overthrows 

Our government ; — General Bonaparte 

Is conspicuous in the Bepublic ; — 

His property and yours are confiscate, 

And you are left to do the best you can — 

Perhaps to suffer. I have not overdrawn ; 

History proves the instability 

Of new — yes, all — republics. Besides, 

Ever harrassad with fear, the soldier's wife 

Knows not whether she be wife or widow. 

Josephine {laughing) . 

What think you, General ? what think you now 
Of my good Advocate's advice ? 

[Bonaparte comes 
forward and takes Bagideau bg the hand. 



56 JVapoleon and Josephine. [act i. 

Bonaparte. 

Monsieur Eagideau has spoken honestly ! 
I can but honor him the more for it. 
I trust his fears may not be realized, 
And that he will to us give his consent, 
His office to continue. Such a man 
May well be trusted. 

\_Exeunt. 

\_Enter from one side Augusta and Hoe- 
tense ; from the other, Eugene. 

Eugene. 
I am glad to meet you. 

Hortense. 

We to meet you. 
But brother, you surprise us ! 

Eugene. 

It seems I am 
Required to-night at the headquarters 
Of General Bonaparte. 

Hortense. 

Do you know 
The cause for which he summons you ? 



SCENE III.] Ka])oleon and Josephene. 57 

Eugene. 

Well, no ! 
And yet I clo surmise it is to make 
A soldier of me. 

Augusta and Hoktense. 
A soldier ? 

Augusta. 

No! no! 
Eugene. 

From what he did convey as his intent 
To my mother and myself, I must think 
This is his purpose. 

Hoetense. 

But you will not go ? 
[Eugene crosses to Augusta. 
There 's something deeper, then, than sister's love ? 

lUxit. 

Eugene. 
Nay, sweetheart, sweetheart, do not be so sad ! 

Augusta. 

And will you go even though it is his wish ? 

Eugene. 
My will is yours, I have no other. Sweet, 



58 Napoleon and Josephine. [act i. 

Save when you v/ill less for yourself than me. 
The General's wish is near akin to law — 
Yet it may be that I am wrong in what 
I have inferred. And still, if I be right, 
Let it not rest so heavy on your heart ! 
We must remember, Love — nay ne'er forget — 
That sorrow, hardly less than that which now 
Does threaten us, did bring me to your side. 

Augusta. 
Oh, would you leave me for the phantom Fame ? 

Eugene. 

Leave you ? No ! No ! Nay, not for all the world, 
Though it should lie an ofiP'ring at my feet. 
Ah, without you, how empty it would be I 
Augusta, I cannot conceive of heaven 
Without you. 

Augusta. 
Eugene ! Eugene ! 

Eugene. 

Augusta, 
Hear me ! oh for a voice to tell my love ! — 
Impossible ! On such a theme all words 
Are impotent. Not long ago I stood 
Beside the sea ; a distant storm had lashed 



SCENE III.] Napoleon mid Josephine. 59 

The waves into a furious mutiny, 

Until they rolled high up upon the beach, 

A mountain range of spray, sun-kissed to pearls ! 

Oh, 't was sublimely beautiful ! and yet 

It had but little charm for me, dear love ! 

— But yesterday I visited the scenes 

Of Fontainbleau — its forests and chateau. 

Where man and nature join their highest art — 

And as, from scene to sceiie, my eyes did pass 

Where other eyes do find such fair delight, 

A longing, then as now unutterable, 

Filled my breast for you, and all comfortless 

I turned away to drink the zephyrs 

Wafted from your home. 

I measure all, weigh all, count all by you ! 

The height of heaven is measured by your love ! 

The weight of worlds my love for you outweighs ! 

And every moment counts as nothing, 

Or with you ! 

Augusta. 

Eugene, I know you love me ! 
And oh, do you remember that fair dream 
When, sitting on the border of a stream, 
I watched the swans gliding o'er sunlit waves, 
The fragrant breath of water-lilies 
Lingering with song of birds upon the air ? 
The while I thought of you, and wished that you 



60 JSapoleon and Josephine. [act t. 

Were by my side? And how a little boat 
Turned round the stream's quick curve ere I had 

wished ? 
You sprang from it to clasp me in your arms 
And press your loving lips to mine — 
Until at last the hour sped, I waked 
In parting from you. Let me tell you now 
What followed this a few weeks afterward. 
— Not far from where I dreamed there is a lake 
Within the borders of a lonely park ; 
And flowing into it there is a stream, 
Not unlike that my dream disclosed to me. 
And this I visited some two months since ; 
The swans were at my feet, and lilies sweet, 
And songs of birds, all just as I had seen 
Them in my dream, w^ere now reality. 
I lifted up ray eyes to look for you — 
An empty, empty boat came round the bend ! 
The agony of that one moment was 
An hundred deaths ! Eugene, thou wilt not go ? 

Eugene. 

This was some two months past, yet have we seen 
IMany sweet hours together since that time. 
If this strange circumstance have meaning, 'tis 
That, my short absence o'er, I will return 
To find with you new joys, as we have had 
Since then. Good cheer ! Good cheer ! I may not go, 



SCENE III.] Napoleon and Josephine. 61 

Yet if I do 'twill be but to return 
And lay my honors at your feet. 

Augusta. 

For your absence what honors could repay ? 
Think you I care for honors ? Oh my love ! 
I would not have you greater than you are — 
Great as the world calls great ; to me there is 
Nothing so high but that you are above, 
Beyond it ! Nay, I could not wish for aught , 
I do not find in you. What could I add 
Unto your excellence ? Eugene ! Eugene ! 

Eugene. 

Would you not see me honored among men, 
Commanding armies, wielding sword and pen 
Until my fame should reach throughout the world ? 

Augusta. 

Those whom men honor are of little worth. 

God honors who are nearest like Himself. 

For one who rises many sure must fall. 

I would not see your greatness builded 

On broken hearts and desolated homes. 

And though your fame should run throughout the 

world, 
I could not love you more than I do now. 
I am content with you just as you are. 
And would not have you one jot different. 



62 Napoleon and JosepJdne. [act i. 

Eugene. 

My dear Augusta ! would that I could feel 

That I were worthy of such love as this ; 

Though 'twas with pride I heard the General speak, 

I only saw ray future as for you. 

Achievement else were hollow mockery. 

— But come ! you shall know all without delay. 

Good bye ! Good bye I 

\_Offers to go, 

Augusta. 

Eugene, when on the field of battle, will you ask 

Yourself, ere you decide to take a step 

Wherein great danger lies, 

" What would Augusta have me do?" And I 

Will ever ask, even in lightest matters, 

" What would my Eugene counsel? " Must you go ? 

I cannot, cannot give you up, Eugene ! 

There are a thousand things that I would say ! 

I cannot let you go ! — Farewell. 

\_Exit Eugene. 
Eugene ! Eugene ! (falls.) 

[Scene Changes to a Tableau ; Bonaparte, Mounted., 
Leading the Armies of France?^ 

\_Curtain falls. 

END OF ACT I. 



I^apoleon and Josephine, 63 



ACT II. 

SCENE FIRST. 
PAELOES OF MADAME BOXAPAETE. 

Baeras discovered. — Enter a Page. 
Page. 
Madame Bonaparte 

Begrets she cannot grant you audience 
At once, but begs you will remain. Meantime 
Permit me to serve you. 

\_Exit Page. Returns with wine. Exit. 

Baeras. 

The musty adage of a "a prophet's fame " 

Does not apply, it seems, to one who drinks. 

— Wine deadens, is dull-mettled, 

Takes hold upon the senses, rocks to sleep ; 

A sweet sleep, but it lasts too long by half! 

'T is terrible to wake from it ! 

What have we here ? Ah ! Cognac, by Jove ! 

Oh, thou sparkling beauty ! queen of my soul ! 

Thou giv'st an hundred years in one ! 

\_Drinks. 



64 Napoleon and Josephine. act ii. 

Married ! and off to Italy ! 

So soon to quit her ! Oh, most cruel speed ! 

'T is foulest slander on both sexes, this, 

That full-blown manhood could, for such a cause. 

Give o'er the very paragon of love ! 

The perfect pattern — nay, the goddess— 

Of pure symmetry ! Ye gods ! for fruit so rich 

I 'd bid the world good-night, and leave to fools 

The flimsy glories of uncertain fame. 

Were 't mine, this citadel of pleasure, 

I'd dwell in it, nor e'er be seen without. 

Patriotism! Bah! 

The chameleon dish, w^ell stew'd with fame, 

Seasoned all through and through with promises. 

Then served with golden spoon of patronage 

By those in power, to ambitious fools 

AYhom they would use. Barras would prize a 

throne 
For what it added unto his desires ; 
Nor risk too much obtaining it, since now 
His cup's Avell filled. For in your graveyard glory 
He could never find a relish. 
Then live ye for the future those who will ! 
Barras, in this life, seeks to find his fill. 
By Jove! this Bonaparte 
Has left rich pasturage for some man's colt ! 
I'll look to 't ! Who has better right? 
I helped him to his greatness, 'tis but just 



SCENE I.] Napoleon and Josephine. 65 

He should repay me. I'll prescribe the terms ; 

My choice of coin! I'll not take the Kepublic's, 

But that of Hoyalty, less circulate ; 

Recently new stamped, but not impaired. 

Oh, Beaulieu! trip "" petit Achilles," 

And leave to me the si^hins: widow! 

— Now to the Directory ! 

If Bonaparte do meet success, why then 

'Twas Barras raised him to his great command ! 

But if he fall — as foil I pray he may, 

Since I do fear this growing Corsican — 

Then on poor Carnot's shoulders rests the blame. 

And yet, before she comes, a health 

To "^jif//^ Achilles! " And yet again 

To that which he has left his friend! 

Enter Josephine. 

I do regret, Monsieur Barras, 

To have ke^^t you so long waiting! 

Barras. 

Pardon 
The untimely call ! The affairs of State, 
In these most busy and eventful times, 
Demand us unawares. 

Josephine. 

Monsieur, have you 
Advice from Italy ! 



66 Isapoleon and Josephine. [act it. 

Bareas. 

For this I called— 
The General, through his brother and Jnnot, 
Sends this to you ; they to no other hands 
Would trust it than my own, being themselves 
Detained. I came at once to you, and beg, 
If any further service I can give, \_Hands a letter. 
You will be pleased the happiness to grant 
Of such employment. 

Josephine.' 

I am most srrateful 

o 

To you. Monsieur, and if I find a need 
Of further favors from such a friendship 
I shall be free to acquaint you of it. 

\_Exit Barras. 

Enter Augusta and Hortense. 

HORTENSE. 

Oh mother! more letters? 

Josephine [reading). 

" My Darling best of Friends : 

My brother will hand you this letter. I cherish 
for him the most intimate friendship. I trust lie 
will also gain your affection. He deserves it. Na- 
ture has gifted him with a tender and inexhaustibly 
good character ; he is full of rare qualities. 

I have received your letters of the 21st. You 



SCENE I.] Napoleon and Josephine. 67 

have indeed for many days forgotten to write to 
me. What, then, are you doing ? Yes, my friend, 
I am not exactly jealous, but I am sometimes un- 
easy. Hasten then, for I tell you beforehand if 
you delay I shall be sick, ^o great exertion, com- 
bined with your absence, is too much. Your letters 
are the joys of my days, and my happy days are 
not too many. 

. Junot takes to Paris twenty-two standards. You 
will come back with him, will you not.? Misery 
without remedy, sorrow without comfort, unmiti- 
gated anguish will be my portion, if it is my 
misfortune to see him come back alone, my own 
adored wife! He will breathe at your shrine, and 
perhaps you will even grant him the special and 
unsurpassed j^rivilege of kissing your cheek, and I 
will be far, far away ! You will come here, at my 
side, to my heart, in my arms ! Tyke wings, come! 
come! Yet journey slowly — the road is long, bad, 
fatiguing. If some calamity should happen — if 

the exertion Set out at once, my beloved one, 

but travel slowly. 

Bonaparte." 

Will I come to thee ? Ask the tender flower 

If it will turn its fair face to the sun 

For life and strength ! or God's sweet choristers 

If they will sing in praise to Him who gives 

The bright day for their happiness ! — 

Even as the soul would swiftly take its flight 

Unto the source of its supremest ecstasy, 

I come! my love, I come! 

— How keen the edge of sweet expectancy I 



68 Kapoleon and Josephine. [act ii. 

Kwd. how it pricks us on to realize 

Wliat hope holds up to view! Yet how often 

Do we in possession find less joy 

Than in the dreaming of it ere 'twas ours! 

"No, no, 'tis not true! this time 'twill not be true." 

AVe say, and yet how seldom does it fail! 

Augusta. 

Then if, indeed, most happiness exists 
In that expectancy which does precede 
Reality, let us employ it ere 
We cheat ourselves of both. 

Enter Eugexe {in uniform). 

Augusta. 
Eugene! (falling in his arms.) 

Josephine. 

This is surprise most happy, Eugene! 
How long since you left Italy ? 

Eugene. 

I came 
With Joseph Bonaparte, Junot, 
And an escort, that did the trophies bring 
Of our great victories. Your letter too. 



SCENE I.] Napoleon and Josephbie. 69 

Augusta. 
Eugene! 

Josephine. 
How fares the General ? 



Inform you ? 



Eugene. 

Did he not 

Josephine. 



Oh yes, but tell me, tell me, 
Is he indeed well ? For he ever puts 
On everything the best face possible. 

Eugene. 

He was in perfect health on my departure. 
Traces of care do seem to line his face, 
Yet these but lend a finer dignity. 
If such be possible. Aside from this. 
And that he has some stouter grown, he is 
As when he quitted France. He bade me add 
The fairest words I knew to what he wrote ; 
And then assure you all was but a tithe 
Of that rich tribute he would pay to you 
Were words more eloquent. 



70 JS^apoleon and Josephine. [act ii. 

Augusta. 

And spake lie not 
Of me? 

Eugene. 

After remembrance and his love, 
He left the rest to me, wherein he said 
You would find more delight. To sweet Hortense, 
He sent an hundred kisses and this ring ; 
The one I give now, and the others will 
Before I go. 

Josephine. 

So he remembers all! 
How rich is he in every tender thought 
That lends to manhood the fair lustre 
Of love's constancy. 

Enter a Page. 

Page. 

Madame Therese de Talien. 

Josephine. 

Say that I attend her. Come, Hortense ! 

\_Exit Josephine and Hortense. 

Augusta. 
How slowly have the hours dragged, Eugene ! 



SCENE I.] Napoleon and Josephene. 71 ^ 

Yet I am paid for all a thousand times 
In this sweet moment on your breast. 

Edgene. 

Have you forgot 

How at your feet I used to sit, the while 

I told, in fondest words I knew, my love ? 

And held up fairest pictures of the life 

In store for us? What castles did we build! 

What happy visions rose before us then ! 

But none that equalled this reality. 

There was one look sweeter than all the rest. 

You gave to me at times. It was a look 

You could not give unto another, 

For your very soul was couched in it ! 

There ! there ! It beams up to me now ! 

O my darling! 

— How that one look has nestled in my heart 

Through all the weary hours of absence ! 

How has it cheered me when all else was vain! 

How, like a light from heaven let down to me, 

Illumed my path, and as a beacon 

Brought me back to you ! 

Augusta. 

Speak on, that I may hear the music 

Of your voice! It has been long, so long, 

Since I have listened to it, Love! Speak on! 



72 Napoleon and Josephine. [act ii. 

I love your praise, not for the praise, but that 
It tells me of your love! Speak on! 



Eugene. 

Your very beauty robs me ot my words! 

What eloquence could rise to such a theme I 

Yet, since it may delight you, I will tell 

Of a most lovely scene of which I dreamed 

On yesternight — 

A sunlit vale 

Where perfumed grasses were all interspersed 

With flowers rare and rich — sweet mignonette, 

And heliotrope, innumerable 

Hoses, and nameless flowers as redolent ; 

And there were little bowers of jessamine, 

Whose balmy breath is but less sweet than that 

Wherein your kisses nestle ; — all these did freiglit 

Soft zephyrs, that floated through the glen 

And circled round my head in eddying swirl. 

There seemed a melody of song to rise 

From grass and flower, and -the birds caught this 

And carried it into the higlier measures 

Of their dulcet strains ! Then it did echo 

Through the glen until, following down 

The fringes of the stream that ran just through 

The center of the vale, it lost itself 

Upon the boundless sea. 

Here and there were quiet little nooks 



SCEXE I.] Napoleon and Josephine. 73 

And fair retreats 'neatli denser foliage 

In every hue and matchless tint of green. 

And some old trees, staid warders of the vale, 

Were rich with clambering roses. 

Or clematis, that graced their massive trunks. 

Or other vines luxuriant. 

That souglit the very toirmost boughs to peep 

Out first in loveliest blossom and catch 

The morning glory of the sun. 

Fair clouds 

Were ever blushing in divinest tints, 

Casting the softest shadows on the vale 

Beneath. 

And but one charm was vv^anting 

Augusta. 
And that ? 

Eugene. 

Your presence, darling, then 'twould nothing lack 
Of heaven for Eugene. 

\Ee-enteT Josephine.] 
Josephine. • 

Some deep design 
Is working now against us, something new ; 
Barras is at the bottom of 't again. 



74 Ncqyoleon and Josephine. [act ii. 

Eugene. 
Wh£it have you learned? 'Tis well that I am here. 

Josephine. 
Yes, for we'll have a trusty messenger. 

Eugene. 
Whatis't? Impart! 

Josephine. 

A scheme is now on foot, 
Laid by the crafty Barras and Gohier ; 
By which our General is t(5 be betrayed 
Into the hands of Beaulieu. Botot 
Is sent a secret messenger to-day 
To help dispatch this business. 

Eugene. 

Of whom 
And by what means is all this known ? 

Josephine. 
Our friend, Therese de Talien. 

Eugene. 

But how 
And by what fortune learned she this ? 



SCENE I.] Napoleon and Josephine. 75 

Josephine. 

From liim, 
Le Monsieur himself, o'er whom she has 
A.n absolute control. For know, he is 
At once a pliable and simple fool 
In presence of a pretty woman. 

Eugene. 

Well, then he can be useful made to us, 
More than Barras and the conspirators. 
For we have the most witching loveliness 
In France. 

Josephine. 

A pretty compliment ! 
But we have little time for such to-day. 

Eugene. 
Are others implicated in the plot? 

Josephine. 

Only by inference ; as he himself 
Is not committed in a way that we 
Could use as evidence. 

Eugene. 

We will mature 
Our plans and, by to-morrow, after him. 



76 Napoleon and Josephine. [act it. 

Augusta. 
But why sucli haste away ? AVhere go you now ? 

Eugene. 

It is the hour when the Directory 
Will be surprised with what we did bring back 
From Italy. They are in waiting for me. 
My duty done, I will return to you. 

\_Exeunt. 



SCENE SECOND. 

LUXEMBOURG.— THE DIRECTORY. 

Carnot, Barras, Larevilliere Lkpeaux, Rewbell, 
Letourneur. — Secretaries and Soldiers. — Carnot 
presiding. 

Enter a Courtiek. 

Courtier. 

General Joseph Bonaparte, Junot and Beauhar- 
nais, with tidings from the seat of war in Italy. 

Carnot. 

Immediately admit them. 

\_Exit Courtier. 

\_Enter Joseph Bonaparte, Junot, Eugkne, 
followed by Courtiers, bearing standards. 



SCENE I.] Napoleo7i and Josephine. 77 

Joseph Bonaparte. 

Citizen President and Directors : 

The General of France sends, greeting you, 

Trophies of victory from Italy, 

And would most humbly lay them at your feet 

As at the shrine of France. 

Caenot. 

Sends he report ? 
AVe wait for it most eagerly ! 

Joseph Bonaparte. 

\_Tahing banner on 
tvhich tvas inscribed the bulletin. 

He has indeed great victories to tell, 
And on our flag inscribes this bulletin : 

{Reads on one side.) " To the army of Italy, 
the grateful country." 

{Beads on other side.) 115,000 prisoners, 170 
standards, 550 pieces of battering cannon, 600 
pieces of field artillery, 5 bridge equipages, 9 sixty- 
four gun ships, 12 thirty-two gun frigates, 12 cor- 
vettes, 18 galleys. Armistice with the King of 
Sardinia, Convention with Genoa, Armistice with 
the Duke of Parma, Armistice with the King of 
Naples, Armistice with the Pope, Preliminaries of 
Leoben, Convention of Montebello with the Be- 



78 Napoleon and Josephine. [act u. 

public of Genoa, Treaty of Peace with tlie Einpe- 
i-or at Campo Formo, Liberty given to the People 
of Bologna, Ferrara, Modena, Massa Carrara, La 
Kouiagna, Lombardy, Bressera, Bornio, The Yal- 
entina, The Genoese, The Imj^erial Fiefs, the 
People of the Departments of Coreigra, of the 
^gean Sea, and of Ithaca. Sent to Paris all the 
masterpieces of Michael Angelo, of Genercino, 
of Titian, of Paul Veronese, of Corregio, of Albano 
of Carracu, of Raphael and of Leonardo da Vinci. 

During the reading of this report, Caknot 
is greatly agitated. As the report 
progresses, all rise to their feet. Cak- 
NOT comes down from his chair. Tear- 
ing the clothes from his breast, he dis- 
plays a minature of Napoleon, which 
he had concealed there — holding it up 
to Joseph Bonaparte. 

Carnot. 

Tell your brother 

That I do wear him next unto ray heart. 

{turns to Directors.) 
Go fire your guns ! Ping wildly every bell ! 
Scream with the fife! Let the shrill bugle tell ; 
With clang of steel, and the unmufiled drum. 
And loud huzzas, that victory has come! 



SCENE I.] Napoleo7i and Josephine. 79 

Fire, fire the guns! Let deep-toned tliunder roll 
Throughout great France, filling each patriot soul 
With victory's shouts uprising from the heart, — 
Vive la Kepublic ! Vive le Bonaparte ! 

All {except Barras). 
Vive la Kepublic! Vive le Bonaparte! 

Shouting, cannons, bells and drums without. 
Scene changes to Paris, illuminated. 

\_Curtai71 falls. 

END OF ACT II. 



80 Napoleon and Joscpldne. [act hi. 



ACT III. 

SCEXE FIKST. 

MILAN. 

Drawhig-Tooin of the Palace of Serbelloni. Boxa- 
PAKTE «?2-(^ Eugene discovered reading. 

Bonaparte. 

Contemptible ! 

That this should be permitted is most strange ! 

It surely is within the power 

Of the Directory to punish this 

As for any other treasonable w^ords ; 

For we are France, no less ! and these attacks, 

Against us 2:)ersonally, are no less 

Than against our France. 

Eugene. 
Their silence proves 
The sympathy of the Directory 
With your worst enemies from jealousy 
Of you. 

BONAPAETE. 

And yet cannot I understand why they 
Should be so blinded to the interests 



SCENE I ] Napoleon and Josephine. 81 

Of France, nay even their own interests, 

Most selfish, as to let this jealousy 

Creep in and so despoil them in a night 

Of all the vantage they might borrow 

From the lustre of my star. They cannot think 

That I will patiently endure this long! 

Do they not realize that I have power 

To crush them, each and all, as with this liand 

I crush this evidence of spleen most foul? 

\_Tahes up another journal. 
Here 's language bears the spirit of Barras, 
Unless I miss — 

These are his words. Can it be possible 
That he should such a peevish bungler be 
As to permit peculiar trick of speech 
To thus betray him in the public print ? — 
So — so — I '11 have a closer eye on you, 
Monsieur Barras! — I never trusted him, 
Eugene, you know I never trusted him. 

Eugene. 

And in despising him, I now. 
As ever, find a keen delight ! 

Bonaparte. 

That is unworthy of you, dear Eugene ; 
Great souls do not descend to it. Nor this 
Nor envy ever dwells within the hearts 
6 



82 Ncqwleon and Josephine. [act hi. 

Of tlie truly great. — In youtli 't is pardoned, 
But must 1)6 outgrown. — These wasps may sting us, 
And tlie sting may itch — there's poison in it — 
So it may fret the skin, but that is all. 

\_Rea(ls, 
"He keeps the plunder" — Eare rlietoricians! 
To what do they refer ? — " He does affect 
A heartless despotism, overrides 
All law " — This is abominable! 
To " affect! " To " affect despotism!''— 
.What masterly envenomed slander this! 
I like the knave and will requite him for 't. 
— I am humiliated when I know 
They have the powder to annoy me thus. 
Eugene, it is these little things that fret 
And so disturb us, more than all else 
In the vicissitudes of life. Henceforth 
Let us look above and far beyond them. 
Philosopliy, 

This, tliis is the one source of strength, Eugene. 
Who lives the butt and sport oi daily circumstance', 
Is no more than a moth in sunbeam basking, 
To drift, before the first vagrant zephyr. 
On to the little death that waits him. 
But he who can despise, or grief or joy, 
With will indomitable, pressing ou 
Unto the goal of his ambition, 
Only wins. 



SCENE I.] JSapoleon and Josephine. 83 

AYere 't not that he must eat and sleep, I 'd say 
A man might come to be great. 

lExit. 

Enter Josephine. 

Eugene. 

Mother, 

There 's none I may approach but you in this 

That weighs so heavy on my heart! Pardon 

And hear me : — For years I have admired, 

Nay, loved — nay more — adored, Augusta ! 

She has the object been of every hope, 

Ambition, prayer ! Oh, I have worshiped her! 

My highest pleasure was alloyed with pain 

Unless she shared it with me. Greater joys 

Were quite impossible ; I could not know 

A happiness without her, but with her 

Was continual ecstasy. And she. 

She loved me, it did seem, even as her life. 

'' Think of me when you will," she one time wrote, 

"Of you I am ever thinking, darling, 

And loving you, oh very, very dearly! " 

Enough! She loved me then. But now, no more! 

Josephine. 

This confidence I do appreciate — 

You have my fullest sympathy, Eugene, 

But may I know the cause of all this change ? 



84 Napoleon and Josephine. [act hi. 

Eugene. 

When I know. I have been too fond, I think ; 
I shrined her goddess in my heart, and she 
\Yould soar now for beyond me. I but pray 
That from her airy height she ne'er may falL 

Josephine. 

Eugene ! 

Why this is madness, boy! Come, tell me all 

And I may help you. 

Eugene. 

All, all is lost! 

Josephine. 

Not all, Eugene. You have your mother left, 
And sweet Hortense. 

Eugene. 

Ah, yes, I know, I know — 
I love you very dearly, but my heart 
Did worship her! It knows no heaven beyond. 
For you and for Hortense, I'll leave — a nume! 

Josephine. 

Eugene 

Speaks like himself in this. And yet why leave 



SCENE I.] Napoleon and Josephene. 85 

A name ? Why not sliare your honors with us ? 
You now are in the morning of your life, 
And glory seems already hovering close 
About your head. You will be great, Eugene, 
And good, I trust 

Eugene. 

Shall Love step out 
And Greatness enter ? Farewell to glory 
Were easier said than farewell love ! 
One is of earth, the other infinite ! 

Josephine. 

But come, you have not yet conveyed to me 
The evidence that she is false to you. 
You may be rash. 

Eugene. 

Rash ! Hear me and then judge. 
Though near what should have been our wedding- 
day, 
Berlin has held rare charms for her. Her absence 
Bore full heavily upon me, for I, 
It seemed, could only think or dream of her — 
AVith her how different the sequel shows. 
Though, when she said farewell, she wept 
Bight bitterly — she nimt have loved me then ! 
— At first her letters in succession came 



86 Napoleon and Josephine. [act hi. 

As she had proniised them. So eloquent, 

In sweet simplicity of love, that I 

AYas lifted into rapture. Followed then 

Less frequent, shorter, 

Till, from my friends, I learned that she had been 

Attended close and constant by Botot. 

To-day she did return, a week before 

I did expect her, and with this Botot, 

Who was still near her but an hour ago — 

With me she has not deigned to meet. 

Josephine. 

Eugene, 

I think that I do understand it all — 

Wait my return ! ' 

\_Exit Josephine. 

Eugene. 

She almost bade me hope, when there is no hope! 
From such a fall as this we may not rise. 
— A brilliant life will, haply, shorter be — 
E'en as a falling star, whose light goes out 
AVhen its effulgence most attracts our view : 
So shall my glory through this little world 
Blaze like a meteor in the firmament 
And then go out forever ! O farewell ! 
Farewell, Auirusta! Now am I resolved! 



SCENE I.] Napoleon and Josephine. 87 

Re-enter Josephine. 

This did I find in waiting for you. \_G'ives letter. 

[Exit Josephine. 

Eugene [reads). 

My Dear Eugene : 

I Lave just dismissed Monsieur Botot, as I had 
no further use for him ; having learned all that 
was necessary to assist Mme. Bonajiarte in her 
plans to save the General from a plot that was to 
deliver him in person into the hands of the enemy. 

Inasmuch as I have dismissed Monsieur Botot 
rather unceremoniously, since his attentions had 
become annoying, he may undertake to avenge 
himself upon you, and 1 thought it best to acquaint 
you at once with the situation. This will somewhat 
explain the past few weeks, and my sudden return, 
till I can see you. Do not keep me long in wait- 
ing, for, after our separation, and the labor and 
excitement consequent upon the undertaking that 
has happily terminated well, I am all impatience to 
meet you. 

Augusta. 

Eugene. 

Can you ever forgive me ? 

\_Exit. 

Enter Officer and Eeynaed. 

Heynakd. 

Ah, Mon Dieu ! Zis vat you call loafe, make ze 
fool of all. 



88 Napoleon and Jo&ephine. [act hi. 

Officer. 

Yes, 'tis said the greater man the greater fool be- 
comes when Love ensnares him. 

Eeynard. 
You know Monsieur Botot ? 

Officer. 

No! 

Reynard. 

He 'ave ze blonde complexion, ze blue eye, and ze 
big conceit of ze self — he is ze tool of Barras. 
I 'ave glad to pique him vis my rappier ! 

Officer. 
Why is he permitted to go ? 

Beynard. 
Zat ze place 'ave not vun of more dainjare. 

Officer. 
When do you go to Paris ? 

Beynard. 
In ze morrow. 



SCENE I.] Napoleon and Josephine. 89 

Officer. 

You are a lucky fellow. 

Keynard. 

I vill 'ave some dainjare — Barras 'ave great, pow- 
air, and I am ze spy, ze leetle fox to vatcli liim. 

Officer. 
To whom do you report ? 

Keynard. 
Ze General, la Madame Bonaparte, ou la Princess 
Augusta. Ze vun vere I 'ave not mooclie troobal. 

Officer. 
You have already been of great service. 

Reynard. 
Ze General vas pleased to recompense me. 

Officer. 
If you succeed you will roceive high honors. 

Reynard. 

If I tomb it vill be in ze service of my General 
and La Belle France. I 'ave not ze fear to die. 
Ze powaire zat support ze General vill protec' ze 
General's soldaire. I 'ave not ze fear to die. By 
Gar! I vas like to pique ze Barras vis my rappier! 

\_Exeunt. 



90 Kai:)oleon and Joseplihie. [act hi. 

SCENE SECOND. 
PALACE OF SEEBELLONI. 

This scene is a large salon, divided into three 
rooms hy marble colmnns. In room farthest 
hack, a party of ladies and gentlemen. In 
middle room, JosEPiimE and party of ladies. 
In front room Bonaparte, Eugene, Augereau, 
and other gentlemen, in conversation. 

Bonaparte. 

The Duke of Parma is unfortunate, 

But left, where now he is, will do no harm, 

And will no doubt serve well our purpose, 

Carrying our every order to its end. 

But, cut him off 

And give his Dukedom to another, 

And he will ever stir up strife and institute 

Fresh intrigues. Here he can be useful made. 

But elsewhere only hurtful. 

Augereau. 

But he is a Bourbon, General, 
A Bourbon ! 

Bonaparte. 
Well, then, lie is a Bourbon — 



SCENE II.] Najwleon and Josephine. 91 

Has nature tlierefore made him less for it? 

Because three Eourboiis have been killed in France, 

Follows it that we must hunt the others down ! 

Proscriptions falling thus upon a name, 

A family, an entire class, 

I never did and never will approve. 

Cans't punish France for the crimes 

Of the Sans Culottes f You say the Bourbons 

Are the enemies of freedom ; they were led 

To the guillotine under a right 

Which I do not acknowledge. 

Enter Oeiani, the astronomer, attended hy Courtier. 

COURTIEE. 

The Proffesseur Oriani. 

BONAPAETE. 

We are indeed most happy. Professor, 
That you do make one of our guests to-day. 

Oriani. 

All, General, this magnificence 

With which you are surrounded, dazzles me. 

Bonaparte. 

Can it be such miserable splendors blind 
A man who every night does contemplate 



92 Napoleon and Joscpldne. [act hi. 

The far more lofty and impressive glories 
Of the skies? 

[^Conducts him to 2d room and returns. 
Even Science bends before me. Askle^ 

Enter Manfeedini (attended by courtier). 

Courtier. 

Le Marquis Manfredini, 

Ambassador of the Grand Duke of Tuscany. 

Bonaparte. 

And can we serve your Grand Didce ? 

Manfredini. 

Humbly our Grand Duke bows before 

The greatest conqueror of Italy, 

The General, most excellent, of France! 

A fervent friendship sends he, greeting liira. 

And in sincerity will ever pray 

He may find no less fame throughout the world 

Than he already has so nobly won 

In Italy. Unto his sweet lady 

He would his homage pay as at the shrine 

Of every heavenly virtue — 

Only regretting that affairs of state 

Make his own presence here impossible. 

Yet, through his ambassador, he begs 



SCENE II.] Napoleon a7id Josephine. 93 

You will your pleasure now convey to him 
/Kegarding Tuscany. 

For, though great confidence he entertains 
In every good and noble quality 
Of General Bonaparte, yet before power 
There is always fear in breasts of those 
Who stand so far beneath. 
He would assurance, therefore humbly crave, 
Of your good will. 

Bonaparte. 

Signor Marquis : 

You remind me of a certain creditor 

Who once did importune, in modest phrase, 

Coupled with flattery and confidence, 

The Cardinal de Rohan, " when he would 

Be kind enough to pay him ? " " My dear sir," 

Said the Cardinal, " I pray you do not be 

So very curious ! " 

\_Escorts him to second room — returns. 
Have given out that we transact no more 
Of business to-day! ' \_To Eugene. 

Eugene. 
The Ambassadors of Venice wait without. 

Bonaparte. 

Say that to Venice I will be an Atilla! 

\_Goes to second room. 



94 Napoleon and Josephine. [act hi. 

Now favor us with a sweet native air 

Of Martinique! [_To Josephine, 

Josephine. 

First, pardon nie, the great artist, LeGros, 
Has been in waiting long, for my command 
And your good pleasure, for a sitting — 
Would you compel us to wait longer Mon Ami ? 

\_AU retire to second room hut Josephine 

and BONAPAETE. 

Bonaparte. 

For so great folly I have not the time — 
No, no! , Another day. 

Josephine. 

But you will not 
Refuse a seat by my side ? 

Bonaparte. 
Ah, no! Never! 
[He sits. Josephine beckons LeGros. 

Enter Le Gros. 

\_He commences the portrait. 

Bonaparte. 
Excellent strategy! But I will not 
Endure it Ions;. 



SCENE II.] Napoleon and Joscphcne. .95 

Josephine. 

Monsieur, would you surrender 
Your position ? 

Bonaparte. 
No, this artist's torment. 

Josephine. 
But if I sliould command ? 

Bonaparte. 

I must obey. 
Josephine. 
A fair rejDly ! so I release you. 

Bonaparte. 
I 'd rather face a cannon's mouth. \_Iiises. 

Josephine. 

To-morrow, good Le Gros, another sitting. 

[Exit Le Gros. 
Enter a Courtier. 
Courtier. 
The Princess Augusta. 

Bonaparte. 

Attend her! 

[Exit Courtier. 



96 Napoleon and Josepldne. [act hi. 

Enter Augusta {attended). 
[Courtier goes to Eugene in 2d room. 
Courtier. 
The Princess Augusta awaits you. 

\_Returns ivith Eugene. Exit Courtier. 

Augusta. 

Was never treason yet more base 
Than that I now reveal to you ? 

Bonaparte. 

Impart. 

Augusta. 

The plot was better laid than did appear 
At first, and is in detail somewhat changed 
Since our intelligence in France; Botot 
Is superseded now by one who is 
More crafty, dangerous, by far. 

Bonaparte. 

Indeed ! 
How far have they progressed ? 

Augusta. 

Not yet so far. 



llK 



anks once a^-ain to Monsieur Botot. 



SCENE II.] Napoleon and Josephine. 97 

Or rather to his weakness, but they may 
Be easy taken in it. 

V Josephine. 

Nay, we should say 
Thanks to the Princess Augusta. 

Augusta. 

But most 
Is due to Madame Bonaparte. 

BONAPAKTE. 

We are 

Indebted to you both beyond all words. 

Josephine. 

No, not indebted, for there is no debt 
When what we do is but for those we love ! 
Love only proves itself when it has reached 
The last extremity for whom it loves, 
And but receives its own when all is done 
That may be possible. 
— We did succeed in sending the despatch. 

\_To Augusta. 

Augusta. 

Your messenger was apprehended, ta'en. 
No time must now be lost. 

7 



98 Napoleon and Josephine. [act hi. 

Bonaparte. 

They have not power — 
Ko, not were all the world in league with them — 
To harm us. Fate sits supreme o'er all! 
She will protect her son. 

\_To Eugene. Please call a Courtier. 

[^Ex'it Eugene. 

Re-enter Eugene, with Courtier. 
\_To Courtier.'] My secretaries! 

\_Exit Courtier. 
Re-enter Courtier, with three Secretaries. 

\_Exit Courtier. 

\_To 1st Sec^ Citizen Directors : 

I owe you an open confession ; my heart is de- 
pressed and filled with horror through the constant 
attacks of the Parisian journals. 

[To 2d Sec.] General Moreau : 
Arrest at oiice Monsieur Botot and send to these 
headquarters. 

[To 1st Sec.'] Sold to the enemies of the repub- 
lic; they rush upon me, who am boldly defending 
the republic. 

\_To Sd Sec] General Joubert : 

Your presence is needed at these headquarters. 



SCENE II.] Napoleon and Josephine. 99 

\_To 1st Seel I am "keeping the plunder" 
Avhilst I am defeating them ; I " affect despotism," 
whilst I speak only as General-in-chief ; I " assume 
supreme power," and yet I submit to law! 
Everything I do is turned to crime against me; 
the poison streams over me. 

[To 2d Sec.~\ Let him be attended closely but 
let no violence or insult be offered him. 

[To 1st Sec.l Were any one in Italy to dare 
give utterance to the one-thousandth part of these 
calumnies, I would imjDose upon him an awful 
silence. 

\_To od Sec^ Set out at once, and travel with 
all possible haste. 

\_To 1st Sec.'] In Paris, this is allowed to go on 
unpunished, and your tolerance is an encourage- 
ment. The Directory is thus producing the im- 
pression that it is opposed to me. If the Directors 
suspect me, let them say so, and I will justify my- 
self. If they are convinced of my uj^rightness let 
them defend me. 

\_To1dSec^ Treat him indeed right civilly. 

Bonaparte. 

\_To 1st Sec.] In this circle of argument, I in- 
clude the Directory with me, and cannot go beyond 



100 Ncqjoleon and Josephine. [act hi. 

it. My desire is to be useful to my country. Must 
I for reward drink the cup of poison ? 

\_To 'dd Sec^ ' Bonaparte. 

\To 2d Sec^ General Moreau : 

Arrest at once and hold in 
close confinement the friend of Botot, who re- 
cently arrived with him from France, wearing a 
colonel's uniform. 

\_To Augusta.'] Of infantry ? 

Augusta. 

Of infantry. 

Bonaparte. 

ITo 2d Sec:\ Of infantry. 

\_To 1st Seci] I can no longer be satisfied witli 
empty, evasive arguments ; and if justice is not 
done to me, then I must take it myself. 

[To ?>d Seel General Marmont : 

Arrest at once the Abbe 
Sergi, and send to these headquarters. 

Bonaparte. 
\To 2d Sec^ Bonaparte. 

[To ?>d Sec^ General Moreau : 

Let no movement of 
General Pichegru be unknown to you. He is plot- 
ting with the Bourbons. 

Bonaparte. 



SCENE II.] Napoleon and Josephine. 101 

\_To 1st Sec.'] Therefore I am yours. Salutation 
and brotherly love. 

Bonaparte. 

\_To Euge7ie^ See that these despatches are sent 
at once! 
This artifice 

That instigates employment of assassins — 
Let them do their worst! Yet we defy them! 

Enter a Courtier. 

Courtier. 
The Count von Coblentz. 

Bonaparte. 

Admit him! 

Enter the Count von Coblentz. 
How now, another embassy ? 
I am tired of this vacillation, 
Heartily! In fourteen days will I dash 
The Austrian monarchy to pieces 
As I now break this. 

{Dashes cup to floor. 

\_To Eugene^ Say to the Archduke Charles, 
In the name of General Bonaparte 
All jDcace is at an end! 



102 Napoleon and Josephine. [act hi. 

CoBLENTZ. (Falling to his knees. 
Mercy! Mercy! 

BONAPAETE. 



Ah ! Is Austria at my feet ? 
There may she rest in peace ! 



\_Cur tain falls. 



END OF ACT HI. 



Napoleon and Josephine. 103 



ACT IV. 



SCENE FIRST. 



PARIS. 

Drawing-Toom of Compt cle Baeras — Bakras discov- 
ered sitting at tahle, rings. Several female pages 



Barras. 

Perdition catch my soul, 

But you are beautiful ! And yet have I 

Xo time for you to-day, my merry birds ! 

{Exeunt Pages. 
Stay, Stay, Marie ! I had forgot my wine. 

(Jlarie brings wine. Exit. 
Bonaparte is yet far in advance, 
In spite of me and mine. He marches on 
As though the world were his. With cunning spies, 
Sent to his very camp, I have beset him, 
And yet no clue with which to humble him. 
I strike him through the journals, strike him hard ! 
And Gohier helps me to trump up what lies 
We think will be believed, but no avail. 



104 Xapoleoyi and Josephine. [act iv. 

And as his victories come heralded 
I intercept reports to temper them ; 
And yet, by some means, truth will leak, and 

through 
The streets no sound is heard but that same damned 
Inexorable worn out yell 
" Mve le Bonaparte !" 

By Jove! 'fore this "Achilles" we have j)roved 
But puny Trojans. 

Enter — Gohier and Moulins. 

( Cries without of " Vive le Bonaparte ! " etc?) 

What means this, Gohier! Are the people mad ? 

Gohier. 

The streets e'en now throng with the multitude, 
Splitting their lungs with "Vive le Bonaparte!" 
And vet 't is scarce an hour since his comino;. 

Moulins. 

He will be troublesome ; — His Montebello 
Has not left an impress easily removed. 
Dam-me, but they made a king of him. 
And to his wife more princely homage gave 
Than she should have as Empress of the French. 

Gohier. 
And Venice wrought herself to such ado 
As he had been an emperor. 



SCENE I.] Napoleon and Josephine. 105 

Bakras. 

\_Offering filled glasses. 
How comes it that he does so soon arrive ? 

GOHIER. 

You know he ever unexpected comes- 
'T is thus he wins his victories. 

MOULINS. 

He '11 have a victory here to win, or we. 

Barras. 

AVell said, Monsieur Moulins ! 
Nor can we long delay. This blazing brand 
Of glory he has snatched fires all hearts, 
And will illume the world unless put out. 
Saw you his letter citing us our duty 
Respecting the late journals that some truths 
Do tell of him ? I think he 'd dictate terms 
To Heaven for his own reception. 

GOHIER. 

And undertake a 'battle with the hosts 

Of Michael an' they did not cry " vive ! vive !" 

I heard of this great document, and think 

It IS damned impudent, to put it mildly. 

— I understand his next great field of fame 

Is Egypt. 



106 Napoleon and Josephine. [act iv. 

Barras and Moulins. 

Egypt? 

GOHIER. 

Longs to carve his name 
On the great pyramids ! 

Baeras. 

We'll let him carve ! 

Moulins. 

Yes, we will let him carve. 

Barras. 

Monsieur Gohier, 'tis the right place for him. 
Art sure he has this new ambition ? 

Gohier. 
That he has so expressed it, I am sure. 

Barras. 

AVhat say you ? We will take him at his word, 

Before to repent the tliought is left him. 

And if he meet successes in the East 

As he has done in Italy, I'll say 

He can have France. Egypt! Ha! ha ! ha ! Egypt — 



SCENE I,] Napoleon and Josephene. 107 

A health to the campaign in Egypt ! 

All {drinking.) 
E-g-y-p-t! 

Bakras. 

But we must make some demonstration 
To receive him now, or the good people 
Will suspect us. 

GOHIER. 

Yes, he must be received 
By the Directory, and publicly. 

Barras. 

Was 't not enough 

That all the most high potentates, 

Whereunto he did come, should do him homage? 

Nay, seek him where he graciously permitted ? 

Gods! they did squander gold in heaps 

Upon the palace Serbelloni ! 

It was a rival for the Tuileries ! 

All Italy 

And the nobility of Lombardy 

Vied with each other who should humblest be — 

Even the Grand Duke of Tuscany, 

Brother of the Emperor. 

Then followed Montebello in the train, 

Seeking to overtop all rivalry ! 



108 Napoleon and Josephine. [act i\ 

And Venice, to appease him, made his wife 
A veritable queen! Jove, what magnificence! 
I wonder they made not a bonfire 
Of their town for her! — Now, he to Paris comes, 
Borne as world's conqueror amidst a sea 
Of crazy-witted fools, whose rotten breaths 
Join in acclaim that rolls in mighty waves 
Before him! And we his way with roses 
Needs must strew, else lose our place — perchance 
Our heads. 

MOULINS. 

If we lose not our heads, at best — 

Barras. 

What! Fear you? AVe will tri^D him yet — 
Look you! we will now give him such applause 
As circumstances may demand, and / 
Will receive him — embrace him if need be, 
That they may see how we do love him, 
And then in Egypt offer him a field 
Where he shall carve unto his soul's content. 
But if he do return as now he comes 
He other wits must thank than Barras' for 't. 

GOHIER. 

Well said, good Barras. Now, by my soul ! 
This smacks of glorious enterprise ! 



SCENE I.] Napoleon and Josephine. 109 

A health to Egypt and the Pyramids! 

Where we'll provide for this "Prince Bonaparte" 

An Eastern Empire — six feet by two ! 

\_They drink. 

Bakras. 

There's little interest for us without ; 
Tarry, and we wall test the strength of this 
More thoroughly. 

Enter — A Page. 
Page. 
General Bonaparte and Eugene de Beauharnias. 

Enter Bonapaete and Eugene. 

\_Exit Page. 

Bonaparte. 
How now? Have we surprised you, gentlemen ? 

Bakras. 
An honor that we do appreciate. 

GoHiER and MouLiNS. 
Yes— 

Barras. 
Your absence wore right heavily — 



110 Napoleo7i and Josephine. [act iv. 

MOULINS. 

Yes — 

GOHIER. 

We did regret your quick departure — 

MOULINS. 

Tes— 

EONAPARTE. 

Peace ! 

Have done this sliallow-pated stuff! 

Bareis. 



"We wait 



The pleasure of our guests! 

Bonaparte. 

Nay, uj)on that 
I am not sensitive. Necessity 
Is law, and courtesy demands no more 
Than this ; or, if it does, will e'er be found 
A weak competitor. Touching the matter 
For our consideration for to-night, 
Can Monsieur Barras, or his friend Gohier, 
Or yet Moulins, inform us as to what 
The business was of Monsieur Botot 
In Italy, by whom sent, paid by whom ? 



SCENE I.] Napoleon and Josephine. , * 111 

Bakras. 
You are beyond me, General. 

Bonaparte. 

No doubt! 

GOHIEE. 

And me. 

MOULINS. 

And me. 

Bonapaete. 

Beyond you all, no doubt ! 
But come, to the purpose ! 

Barras. 

To what purpose ? 

Bonaparte. 

To no jDurpose, it would appear, unless 

You are more dkect. Come now, the question ! 

Barras. 
What question ? 

Bonaparte. 

Touching Monsieur Botot. 



112 Napoleon and Jose2:)hine. [act iv. 

Barras. 

Ah, since you have reminded me, I think, 
The Government did send Monsieur Botot 
Upon some secret service. 

MOULINS. 

Yes, you're right. 

Bonaparte. 
The Government ? What department of it ? 

Barras. 
What else than the Directory ? 

Bonaparte. 

Indeed ! 
What members of it? Come, impart! 

Barras. 
We do not catch your meaning. 

Bonaparte. 

Nor catch you me ! 

Your memory is torpid, 'twould appear! 
Now this is something quite remarkable! 
Perhaps, then, one of you may be pre{)ared 
To explain why your Monsieur Barras, 



SCENE I.] Napoleon and Josephine. 113 

But two short days ago, had business 

In secret council with a Chouan chief, 

Whom he did entertain right royally, 

As more befits a prince. 

Or if your ignorance in this should prove 

As in the matter of Monsieur Botot — 

Since ignorance becomes proverbial 

Sometimes, and follows in unbroken chain, 

As doth the matter called in evidence — 

You may refresh your minds with this and this, 

And tell me what you think would be the fate — 

Should be the fate — of those intriguers base 

Who ofiefed to betray their General — 

The General of France — and give him o'er 

To Beaulieu ? 

Baeras. 

Would you hold us for these reports 
Made by our enemies and yours ? Of this 
Of which you speak we are most innocent. 

Bonaparte. 

Speak you for all ? — So, I understand you. 
— The secret service of Monsieur Botot, 
And other secret service of like nature, 
Are known as well to me as the base hearts 
Who did employ in it. The potent means 
By which I have been thoroughly informed, 



1 14 Napoleon and Josephine. [act iv. 

Tell me of secret conclaves, dark designs, 
And weak schemes numberless, to overthrow 
My power, yet all have fallen harmless, 
As all must fall who are op230sed to me. 

Baeras. 

AVhat we could do we have done to expose 
These villainies. 

GoHIEPw 

Yes, we have done our best 
To circumvent them, here and everywhere. 

MOULINS. 

Indeed we have, you are quite right, we have. 
Bonaparte. 

Can it be possible? Why Beauharnais, 

Look you upon these men ! Duplicity 

Ne'er had a name till now! oh precious knaves ! 

But, see ! their faces like as ours do bear 

Tlie stamp of iiiamortality ! How calm! 

Was ever innocence protected 

By more placid mien ? Yet are these the same, 

The self same traitors, who sat in council. 

Less than an hour ago to ruin me. 

This is that same Barras who would embrace 

And fawn upon me when I did return ! 

And these, his creatures, w^eak and pliable. 



SCEJSTE I.] Napoleon and Josephine. 115 

Bareas. 

Beware ! The voice of the Directory — 
The great Directory of France — does rest 
In -those you have accused — Look well to it! 

BONAPAETE. 

What ! Threat you me before my very face ? 
Why, here is now assurance worth a cause ! 
" Beware ! " Ye gods ! What impudence ! 
" Beware !" Why, Beauharnais, this is a feast 
Beyond comparison ! 

When 'neatli the shadow of the Pyramids 
We'll have this to refresh us, this " Beware !" 

Barras. 
We'vehad enough of this ! 

Eugene. 

That's easy proved — [draivs. 

[Barras draws. 

Bonaparte. \_To Eugene. 

What! 

When did you fall so low that you would put 

Yourself against such rotten carrion ? 

Austria would refuse to cross your sword 

Wearing such blood upon it ! 

Hear we now (to Directors) , 



116 Napoleon and Josephine. [act ly. 

— Ye miserable liano;ers-oii of time! 

Ye woidd-he arch cons^Dirators, 

Bat that ye lack conception for it. — 

The affairs of State, or War's swift enterprise, 

AVherein fair genius and the strongest wins, 

I leave yon as before. Malign as you will ; 

Join all the arts of Mephistopheles 

Unto your own, lo ! I defy you ! 

'Tis not within the power of man to harm me ! 

But hark ye now ! 

There is one point where I am vulnerable; 

This has been touched by your vile, slanderous 

tongues ! 
For other cause, with this surprise, ye never 
Had been honored. 
I use few words, you know me! — 
If I do trace to you another word, a look, 
Or aught that shall in any way reflect 
Upon the fair name of my family, 
Now hear ! — 

By the great God, I swear, I'll vi^it you 
With vengeance swift as my wrath ! 
So farewell ! 

{Exit Eugene and Bonaparte. 

Baeras. 

Can Carbon and St. Bejeant 
Be ready within the hour ? 



SCENE II.] Napoleoji and Jo^ephene. 117 

GOHIEE. 

Let us confer 
With them. 

Bakkas. 

By every god I swear I will not sleep 
Till he is done for. 

\JExeiuit, 



SCENE SECOND. 

A STREET IN PAEIS. 
Bakras and Gohier discovered. 

Baeras. 
Is all ready ? 

GOHIEE. 

Waiting but his coming. 

Barras. 

Then shall we see 
If that his goddess will protect him now. 
Carbon and St. Bejeant, are they paid ? 

GOHIEE. 

Not till the work is done. 



118 Napoleon and Josephine, [act iv. 

Baeras. 

That is well thought ! 
AVho will apply the fuse ? 

GOHIER. 

St. E-ejeant's self. 

Baeras. 

The place? 

GOHIER. 

The Rue St. Nicaise. 

BarrAs. 

Can they fail ? 

GOHIER. 

I hardly think it possible, as they — 
Carbon and Limoelan — will watch 
The progress of the Consul's carriage 
As it shall leave the Tuileries, until 
The time to give the signal to St. Rejeant. 

Baeeas. 

Let us be gone ! The hour approaches! 

AVe must not be seen. 

\Exeunt. 

\_As they go off a rumbling noise is heard 



SCENE II.] Nafpoleon and Josephine. 119 

followed by the a'p'pearance of the guard 
and carriage of Bonaparte. — The 
scene then changes to th,e Rue St. Ni- 
caise, where a cart is discovered with 
the infernal machine in it; a little 
girl holding the horse, and St. Re- 
JEANT off at one side. — The carriage 
passes — after which an explosion. — 
/Sce?ie changes back ; carriage passing 
safely away. 

Gohier. 
He did escape us. 

Barras. 

But all the powers of hell shall not save him! 
God! how his words do rankle yet in rae! 
Now to our wits and the new enterprise — 
We '11 find no time for napping from this out. 
Monsieur Gohier, art certain of your chief? 
These Chouans are as unreliable 
As desperate. 

Gohier. 

Fear not! I know my man. 
Besides our gold, he's wedded to our cause 
By an old grudge against the General. 
Such men forget offences only when 



120 Napoleon and Josephine. [act iv. 

They are revenged. Seemed he not ready 
When you spoke to him? 

Baeras. 

Too much so, I thought. 
The fellow had his plans all quite matured ; 
He was too zealous. Plans so well defined 
Suggested to my mind a counter plot, 
Havino; its oriii-in in subtler brains. 

GOHIER. 

Oh, never fear, I know him well! 

You must in this my better judgment trust. 

He will requite us all. 

Barras. 

AVhy, he did know 
The very day on which our Georges came ! 
And Biville cliff was as well known to him 
As my chateau to me. 

GoniER. 

Most certain 'tis, 
And every dangerous path 
Between Dieppe and Trejiort he knows as well. 

Barras. 

He saw the very cable from the cliff, 



SCENE II.] Napoleon and Josephine. 121 

Descending through the cleft unto the sea ; 
Saw Georges seize it, and then, by its aid 
CHmb up the precipice. Then, in their turn, 
Each of his followers. 

GOHIER. 

Why should he not ? 
Since he of that same passage has, for years, 
Been a most constant warder. 

Barras. 

Can it be ? 
Why did you not impart all this before ? 

GOHIER. 

Matters of graver moment took its place. 
What says the General Pichegru 
Touching Moreau ? 

Barras. 

He finds him more ready 
Than pliable. 

GOHIER. 

I do not understand. 

Barras. 
Moreau shuffies, cuts and deals for Moreau. 



122 Napoleon and Josephine. [act iv. 

GOHIEE. 

What, stands lie not with us ? 
Baeras. 

Only so far 
As we do stand with him. In his own glass, 
Fondly presuming that it is the world, 
He gazes steadily, seeing himself, 
Himself alone, and cannot understand 
Why this great central figure stands not out. 
In bold relief to others as himself. 
Another meeting is appointed now 
With Georges, at his safe retreat, Chaillot. 
'Tis hoped an understanding to secure. 
But poor Biviere is driven to despair, 
And talks but of the apathy of France. 

GOHIER. 

He lacks in courage and tenacity. 

Were't not for Madame Bonaparte, I'd chance 

A fortune on our quick success. But she 

Has half the eyes of Paris after us, 

And, for herself, I think she never sleeps. 

But see! The dawn already is upon us! 

We must be gone. 

{^Exeunt. 
Enter, from either side, Citizens. 



SCENE II.] Napoleon and Josephine. 123 

1st Citizen. 
Vive la Consulate! Vive le Bonaparte! 

2d Citizen. 
What now, good friend, what news ? 

1st Citizen. 

Bonaparte is made first Consul! And for life! 
Vive la Consulate ! 

All. 

Vive la Consulate! Vive le Bonaparte! 

2d Citizen. 
But this sudden change, tell us how came it ? 

1st Citizen. 

Ever as he wins, by strategy. He has over- 
thrown his enemies in the Directory and Consulate. 

2d Citizen. 

And our enemies! — the enemies of France. 

1st Citizen. {Singhig.) 

He will give us peace and plenty — peace and 
plenty. Vive le Bon aparte ! 

All. {Singing). 



124 Napoleon and Josephine. [act iv. 

He will make smile the land of France. Vive 
le Bonaparte! Vive le Bonaparte! 

[Exeunt, singing. 



SCENE THIRD. 

The Council of the Five Hundred. — Luciest Boxa- 
PAETE presiding. 

( Confusion.) 

GOHIER. 

Citizen President : 

We must a new election hold at once! 
There hangs no less upon it than the fate 
Of the Republic. 

1st Member. 

Nol Such haste but shows 
Base cowardice! 

2d Member. 
Shame! Shame! Shame! 

\_Cheers on the right. 

3d Member. 

Such lano'uao-e 
Is an insult to the Council! 

\_Cheers on the left. 



SCENE III.] Na][)oleon and Josephine. 125 

The President. 

This must cease 
Or we will end in anarchy. 

Gohiee. 

I rise to ask the member if his charge 
Of cowardice means to apply to men 
Or measures ? 

1st Member. 
To both. 

GOHIER. 

Then I do hurl it back 
And challenge to a test! 

( Great confusion.) 

Barkas. 

This is madness ! 
Are we devoid of reason ? Hear, oh hear! 
Who is to profit by this senseless strife ? 
The Great Kepublic? No! Nor you, nor I, 
Nor either of our factions ! Such a course 
Can in destruction only end 
Of all ! Who seeks the good of this, our France ! 

1st Member. 

Not Barras! 



126 Napoleon and Josepliine. [act iv. 

3d Member. 

Shame! Shame! 

1st Member. 

Conspirator! 
Behold the arch conspirator! 

Voices. 
: Conspirator! Conspirator! 

1st Member. 

Tell us of Georges, and the Chouans 
Whom you employed to murder Bonaparte! 

Barras. 

I ask again, 

Who seeks the good of this, our France? Let him 

Propose a sacrifice that he will make. 

And I will clasp his hand and go with him 

To his extremest measure — even death ! 

What then are we through passion, to lose all ? 

In this extremity we are but ripe 

For anarchy. Ho, Patriots! Would you feel 

The Despot's iron yoke upon your necks! 

The usurper comes by stealthy strides, 

And even now is at our fjates ! 



scEiSTE I.] Napoleon and Josephine. 127 

Enter Bonapaete ami Eugene. 

See! See! 
Even at the word lie comes ! Away with him I 

3d Member. 
Down with him ! 

Another Member. 
^He is a traitor! 

Another Member. 

Cromwell! 
Several Voices. 
Down with the usurper! 

Bonaparte. 
Citizens, hear me! 

Voices. 
Down with him! Traitor! Traitor! Usurper! 

' Bonaparte. 
Will you not hear me ? 

Voices. 

No! No! Down with hiiii! 



128 Napoleon and Josepliine. [act iv. 

\_They rush towards him. Eugene has sig- 
naled the Grenadiers at the door, tvho 
noiv surround him. 

A Voice. 

Down with the usurper! He brings sokliers 
To overawe us ! 

Bonapakte. 

"Who loves me, let him follow me! 

\_3Iarches out guarded by the Grenadiers. — 
Shouts without — Vive le Boxapaete! 

Bonaparte {at the door). 
Protect the President of the Five Hundred ! 

[Exit. 

[Eugene and Grenadiers 
march in and escort the President out. 



END OF ACT IV. 



Isai:)oleon and Josephine. 129 



ACT V. 

SCENE FIRST. 

IN^OTEE DAME— THE COEOXATIOJS". 
PAN^TOMIME. 

Upon the opening of this scene is discovered the 
interior of Notre Dame, decorated with unequaled 
magnificence. 

The throne of the Emperor and Empress repre- 
sents a monument within a monument, between two 
columns, supporting a pediment, upon which is a 
representation of the crown of Charlemange. 

On the left is seen the throne designed for the 
Pope, over which is a pediment supporting a dia- 
mond cross. 

Directly in front of either throne, in the centre 
of the stage, is the Altar on which are seen the 
Scepter, the Sword and the Imperial crowns. 

Prelates are discovered on either side of the 
throne designed for the Pope. The Bonaparte 



330 Napoleon and Josephine. [act v. 

family on either side of the throne of the Emperor 
and Empress. 

At the riglit of the stage, dignitaries of State. 
Enter Pope Pius VII. 

He apj^roaehes tlie altar, kneels, then ascends 
his throne! — The Prelates approach and salute 
him. 

Enter Napoleon and Josephine. 

They approach the altar and kneel — Pope de- 
scends from his throne, comes to altar, holds his 
hands over them in blessins;. 

Napoleon raises his head and is annointed by 
Pope on forehead, arms and hands. Pope then 
takes sword — Napoleon rises — Pope holds sword as 
if in blessing, then girds it on Napoleon. 

Pope offers to take crown, but Napoleon quickly 
reaches it himself and deliberately places it upon 
his own head. He then takes the crown of the 
Empress, and, as she is still kneeling beside him, 
23laces it gently on her head ; then taking her by 
the hand, she arises. 

Pope then blesses scepter and gives to Napoleon. 
The Emperor and Empress ascend their throne. 
Pope advances to the foot of the throns and raises 
his hands in benediction. 



sc EN'S II.] Na])oleon and Joscpliine. 131 

SCENE SECOND. 
PALACE IMPERIAL. 

The Emperor's Cabinet, dimly illuminated. 

NAPOLEOisr discovered. 

Napoleon. 

Thus far has Fate the firm alliance kept, 
Thus far through scenes of fratricidal strife, 
And bloody, devastating, frightful war, 
From conquering to conquer led her son ! 
Till now great France and all her power, lands, 
Rivers, seas, immensity of wealth. 
And teeming millions of brave chivalry, 
Are but the subjects of his sce[)ter's sway ! 
— But oh, great Goddess! at what price is this! 
Unto that last dark, dismal sleep, thou'st sent 
LTnnumbered hecatombs of human forms. 
From which to raise this sad renown! 
The sighs, the tears, the anguish of despair, 
The body's torture and the soul's defeat, 
The wailing millions of a world attest! 
Oh Goddess ! Who can measure that 2:reat 



cup, 



Wherein has been contained the sorrow's depth 
Which thou hast forced the world to drink for him? 
Eternity alone ! 
— And soon there will come, even for thy son 



132 Napoleon and JosepJilne. [act v. 

The end that is decreed for aU. To sleep 

That long last sleep, which goes forever on 

Without a dream ! Goddess, where then thy son ? 

On whom shall tlie Imperial mantle fall ? 

Childless, thou leavest him to reign alone ! 

Across the dark abyss of death, no tie ! 

— I did defy all power for Josephine, 

And is the penalty her barren womb? 

— If not in my offspring, how shall my blood 

And hers commingle on the throne of France? 

Yet 'tis decreed; reveal the mystery! 

— Nay, then, do gods combine gainst Thee and me, 

To overthrow my power ? 

O'er Thee may none prevail! 

Bear then, swift as His lightnings, 

E'en to the great throne of the Thunderer, 

Defiance! 

So let our bond become inseparable; 

Subdue the Immortals Thou, the Earth 

Leave unto me! 

— Now will I bridge the chasm over death! 

My scepter's power shall rule throughout the world, 

And my own blood shall reign upon the throne, 

In spite of gods! — aye, though it cost me 

Josephine ! 

Enter Josephine. 
\_He rushes to and embraces her. 
Josephine! my peerless, peerless one! 



SCENE II.] Naiioleon and Josephene. 133 

Josephine. 

Didst tliou call me? 

— Wherefore with voice so wild and sorrowful ? 

Napoleon. 

A hell of ugly dreams environed me — 
Thou wilt not leave me ? 

Josephine. 

No! Never! Never! 
My noble one, knowest thou not my love ? 

Napoleon. 

Yes ! — yes ! — 

Lead me away — I would have rest. 

\_Exeunt. 

Enter Eugene and Augusta. 

Eugene. 

And this — and this is greatness! 

Augusta. 

Ah, yes! 
But are you the happier, my husbanc^? 

Eugene. 

No ! let me confess it, no, Augusta ! 



134 Xwpoleon and Josephine. [act v. 

Ill the attaining, not in tlie thing attained, 
Our happiness does come. The soul's unrest 
Cannot be satisfied. 

Augusta. 

May it not pause 
To dwell with rapture on a great success ? 

Eugene. 

Xot the truly great soul, no! It cannot! 
To pause were death, and, being immortal, 
It cannot die, therefore it may not pause. 

Augusta. 

But we have reached a careful height, 

80, let us bask us in our glory's sun ; 

Nor let Ambition's tempting voice betray 

Us into paths which, though they lead to fame, 

Power, place, but leave us the sure mark 

For base intrigue and treachery. 

Eugene. 

Ah ! Ah ! 
What wondrous potency is in that voice ! 

Augusta. 
If so, why should you sigh and knit your brow ? 



SCENE II.] Napohon and Josephine. 135 

Eugene. 

My sigli was for the Empress, not lier son ; 
And when I heard your voice I thought if she 
Possessed such power with the Emperor, 
He could not — 

Augusta. 

Has he dechired his policy ? 

Eugene. 
No, not in words. 

Augusta. 

Ey act, then ? Tell me all ! 

Eugene. 

Not by act. Heaven save us from that hour ! 

— I left my mother a short hour ago ; 

She had sent for me, and, when I met her, 

Fell upon my neck and, weeping bitterly, 

Told me she could no longer hope; bade me 

Try, with her, to be resigned in feeling 

That our great loss w^as the great gain of France. 

Augusta. 
Has he then signified as much to her ? 

Eugene. 
She but divines it from his manner. 



136 Napoleon and Josephine, [act v. 

Augusta. 
Is he unkind? 

Eugene. 

No, no! demonstrative 
In kindness — pets and caresses her 
As though 'twere but a little day preceding 
A long absence ; and in an hundred other ways 
Betrays himself. 

Augusta. 
Alas, poor Empress! 

Eugene. 

This interview and my unhappy dream 
Have left me almost fitted for despair. 

Augusta. 

A dream ? 

Eugene. 

Last night I dreamed our Paris was besieged ; 

I, second in command, had been to inspect 

Our outposts. The night wore on towards morning, 

When a sound as of the distant roaring \ 

Of artillery, drew my attention 

To the south and east. — The heavens, all cloudless, 

Were glorious with stars ! — Louder, deeper, 



SCENE II.] Napoleon and Josephine. 137 

The terrible reverberations rolled, 

Nearer, until the very dome of heaven 

Seemed to tremble! Then, through the vaulted 

azure 
Rushed chariots of war, drawn by fierce steeds. 
Whose dilate nostrils sent forth the lio;htninos! 
Until the sun, from out a sea of blood, 
Leaped forth, a wild world of fire! 
The Emperor, with folded arms, the while 
Strode to and fro upon the parapet, 
Kegarding silently. But, as the sun 
Came forth, he stumbled, fell, and upon me, 
Who stood beneath, without the battlements. 

Augusta. 

Nay ! Nay ! Be not cast down ! 'T was but a 
dream ! 

Eugene. 

Ah, yes! 't was but a dream! — It is the hour 
When Beynard should arrive. 

Augusta. 

Whence comes he ? 

Eugene. 

Berlin. 



138 Napoleon and Josephine. [act v. 

Augusta. 

His English is amusing, and, besides, 
His repartee is excellent, and will 
Divert 3^our mind, I trust, for you must not 
So constantly brood o'er this matter. 

Enter Reynard. 
Welcome, Eeynard! 

Eeynaed. 
Keynard is proud of such velcome! 

Eugene. 
Of one so faithful we may well be proud. 

Reynard. 
I am glad to report zat I make ze success in Berlin. 

Augusta. 
Bravo, good Reynard! you shall have reward. 

Reynard. 
Ze ladie smile is my good recompense! 

Eugene. 
You, it seems, are always happy, Reynard. 

Reynard. 
I 'ave not vat you call ze greatness, zeu I am vis- 



SCENE II.] Napoleon and Josephine. 139 

out ze care — I 'ave ze content vis ze world ; I no 
can make it ovaire. 

Augusta. 
Were you ever in love, Keynard ? 

Eeynard. 

In loafe? Oui, oui, many times! Ha! ha ! many 
times ! 

Augusta. 

Not very deep ? 

Keynakd. 
I no 'ave ze vat you call — ze loafe sick. 

Augusta. 
Indeed ! How, then, have you escaped ? 

Eeynakd. 

La Belle France 'ave ze plaintie, Madam oselle ! 
Yer plaintie! 

Augusta. 
You are a philosopher. But did you never love 
one beyond all others? 

Eey^naed. 

Sometimes, for ze little vile. 



140 Napoleon and Josepliine. [act y. 

Augusta. 
You are indeed mankind in miniature. 

Eeynard. 

Zis loafe make ze conscience pliable. I loafe all 
ze Madamoselle. 

Augusta. 

You are generous! 

Keynaed. 
I must not offend. 

Augusta. 
Gb, no — no offense! But you are a strange fellow. 

Eeynaed. 
Yen I may serve you, I vill 'aye ze great pleasure — 

Augusta. 
Tbis needs no furtber proof, good Reynard. 

Eugene. 

Have you orders from tbe Emperor following 
tbis from Berlin ? 

Beynaed. 

Zis is all. 



SCENE II.] Napoleon and Josephine. 141 

Eugene. 
Have you reported ? 

Eeynard. 

I 'ave send ze report by ze Secretaire. Zen ze 
Emperor send for me, zat he vould like to see me. 
But ven I vas come in ze presence lie 'ave ze ver 
sad look. He vas speak ver plaisant, but I 'ave ze 
fear zat he vas not please vis me — he 'ave ze cloud 
in ze face. 

Eugene. 

Do not let this trouble you. The Emperor is 
in trouble touching an affair of State diplomacy. 
He entertains for you only the kindest regards, I 
assure you. 

Eeynaed. 
Zen I am happie ! 

Eugene. 
Would I could say as much ! 

[Exit Eugene and Augusta. 

Reynaed. 

Zere is somezing ze mattaire. Ah ! ze great man 
'ave alvays ze troubal. By Gar ! I would not give 
ze content of Beynard for ze crown of ze Emperor. 

\_Exit. 



142 Napoleon and Josephine. [act y. 

SCENE THIRD. 

EMPEEOE'S PEIVATE PAELOES. 

Napoleon discovered asleep — JosEniiNE sitting l>y his 



'Josephine. 

In thy soft arms, 

Oh, hold him tenderly! sweet, gentle sleep! 

Hover above him, spirits of the blest. 

On waves ^olian, and touch his soul 

With your divinest symphonies ! O'er him 

Let Lethe's spray in dewy showers fall ; 

The while may rays of Hope shine through, and 

show 
A bow of promise on the heavy clouds 
That now shut out my heaven! — Oh, noble brow! 
Kealm of fair Genius ! throne of a lofty soul ! 
Ah, could I lift thy sorrow, as I lift 
These locks so silken, soft! — Oh, splendid orbs! 
Where rests your glory now? It cannot sleep! 
— Ah, pale, pale cheek! Thou art quite colorless! 
Oh, precious lips! on ye, my soul shall melt 
In this one kiss ! 

— This hand, I press to my poor heart, w^ould w^ield 
The scepter of the world! But at what cost! 
Ah, can it put away its Josephine! 
Oil God! I can but weep! [_ExiL 



SCEJ^E III.] Napoleon and Joseplbine. 148 

(Xajjoleon starts out of his dream.) 

Napoleon^. 

Aye! Aye! In spite of gods! 
Had every god the power of mighty Jove, 
All leagued against my cause, yet will I sway 
The scepter of the world ! I will ! I will ! 
I will ! 'Tis I — Napoleon ! 

{Thunder.) 

Turn loose 
Your thunderbolts of wrath! Bellow and roar! 
Upheave the earth! Unlock the vaults of hell! 
Reveal the seething cauldrons of the damned ! 
The Indomitable AVill defies you ! 
. . . . What dreams torment my soul! 
Ah ! will they drive me mad ? — Once more I wake — 
The sombre shadows sleep — No wave of sound — 
My brain reels ! Is this death ? 
.... Ah — wondrous, incomparable pageantry! 
What grand procession this of stately forms — 
The marshalled glory of the Universe! 
— All-wise! All-mighty! All-foreseeing Jove! 
Thou, who in thunder tones command'st the host 
August, of the Immortals, hail ! all hail ! 
What boldest thou in keeping for the great ? 
Silence ! 

— Thou of the silver bow, Far-seeing 
Phoebus Apollo, shall tve be gods ? 



144 Napoleon and Josejjhine. [act v. 

— Pallas, Minerva, answer me, and tell 

What life awaits beyond the tomb. 

— Oh, Fate, my mother, thou dost sit supreme 

O'er all ! Speak ! Oh, speak ! — All, all is silence ! 

'Tis gone! 

— What marvelous perfection passes now ! 

A crown of thorns, and in His hands and side 

Are wounds ; — I know Him not! — But see ! who 

follows. 
Worshipping ? — Josephine ! — Alone ! Alone ! — 
On earth and in Eternity! 

\_ExlL 

Enter Eeynakd. 
Eeynaed. 

Ah ha! Mon Dieu! Somezing is ze mattaire — 
ze vorld 'ave turn ze wrong vay ! Ough! — Le Dia- 
ble!-i-E,eynard vas scare at ze self — somezing is ze 
mattaire — Reynard vill be no longaire ze valet — 
he mus' go avay vis ze self. Ough! hell sacrament! 
— By gar! I vill go avay soora plaise! — Ah! Mon 
Dieu! Beynard mus' not lose ze mind — he mus' 
'ave ze sang froid — he mus' be ze leetle fox! Ah 
ha! — By gar! Beynard, ze fox, he know somezing! 
Vat he know ? — He know vat Beynard ze valet 
know! — Beynard ze valet tell Beynard ze fox! — 
Vat he tell? — Vat he see vis ze eye an ze ear! — 
Ah lia! — Ze Emperor talk vis ze gods in ze tun- 



SCENE III.] Napoleon and Josephine. 145 

claire! — Sooblime conceptione ! — Magnifique! — He 
is vim brave General ! — He no 'ave ze fear ! — He is 
ze graand Napoleon! — Reynard mus' be ze leetle 
fox! 

Enter Eugene. ■ 

Eugene. 

Why, Keynard, what is the matter ? 

Keynard. 

Ze mattaire? Ah ha! Ze leetle fox mus' not 
tell vat he know. 

Eugene. 

But to me, your friend 1 

Eeynard. 
Keynard mus' be true to ze friend? 

Eugene. 

Always ! 

Reynard. 

Zen he mus' be true to ze Emperor! 

Eugene. 

I do not ask you to betray confidence. 
10 



■ 146 Napoleon and Josephine. [act v. 

Reynaed. 

Veil I see and 'ear somezing, zat is ze confidence. 
By Gar, I must be true to my General ! 

Eugene. 
But is it not best we should know ? 

Reynard. 

All, Mon Dieu ! I nius' 'ave ze time to t'ink. Ze 
Emperor 'ave ze great troubal! — he vas talk vis ze 
gods in ze tundair. He is vun graand Emperor. 

Eugene. 

Alas ! My mother! — The Empress comes, let us 
withdraw. 

Exit E.EYNARD and Eugene. 

Re-enter Josephine. 

'Josephine. 
Oh, Siren Hope! 

No more ! No more ! Else tune your lyre to a dirge ! 
Nay, lure me on to death ! but let me die 
Mid mournful strains ! Sweet music is for those ^ 
Who live, or here or on the other side, 
But for the dying, sing a requiem ! 
— All, your soft voice has touched my trusting 
heart 



SCENE III.] Kapoleon and Josephene. 147 

So oft, that now the touch does wound, where once 

It had the power to heal ! Peace ! Away ! 

— Now, now am I alone! E'en Hope is gone! 

Oh last, oh dearest, sweetest, only comfort 

When the heart is crushed — to be alone ! 

— Come now, ray soul, and we will sit us down 

And nurse our loneliness. 

{She sits on the floor) 
Oh, Grief: thou art the only heir that I could bear! 
I hold thee to my breast 1 Now feed and take 
The life that gave thee life! Oh baby, mine, 
Thou was't brought forth in pain, thou givest pain 
In nursing, yet I hug thee close, for thou 
Was't born of him ! My only treasure thou ! 
And thou wil't not depart ! And none will take 
Thee from me; there is no one covets thee. 
Thou art unwelcome everywhere but here — 
Here on thy mother's breast. Oh visit not 
Thy father ! Let liim forget thee, forget 
That thou was't born of him ! — Thy lips are cold. 
They chill me to the heart ! Cold, cold thy form! 
Cold as dead love! Cold as thy father's love! 
— No! No! His love is not cold! 
Thy flxther's love is not cold, baby, no! 
He loves me, oh, he loves me as his soul! 
— But oh, he does not know how thou has't grown, 
Feeding upon the currents of my life, 
Feeding upon the currents of my life, 



148 Napoleon and Josephine. [act v. 

Until thou art so heavy, hard to bear! 

He does not know! Ah! Ah! — He shall not 

know ! 
For thou art not so heavy as his w^orld— = 
His world ! — But mine f He was my world — He is! 
[Rising^ 

I cannot, cannot give him up! No! No! 
Give him to another! God! Oh God! — 

\_going] — Thou cling'st so close, my baby ! 
Nay, feed on ! — Where shall we go, my baby ? 
Feed on ! Feed on ! 

\_ExiL 

Re-enter Napoleon. 

He sits at table — -paper and ivriting ma- 
terial before him. He takes up pen 
to write. The p)en drops from his hand. 

Napoleon. 

\_Looking upon his hand. 

Thou wouldst not tremble so 

To sign thy death-warrant ! — Thou hast been firm, 
Unfaltering, mid battles' din and roar, 
And frightful cries of souls crushed out of men ! 
When, to write one word, the voice of armies 
Spoke the doom of states! Yea, when that one 
word 



SCENE III.] Napoleon and Josephine. 149 

Would send brave thousands, human lives, to 

death! 
But one word, a name, 't is easy writ — 
Napoleon ! [Ee-takes pen. 

Eternity resolved into a drop! 

Ah, little world, thou tremblest on the point! 

Black, black as death ! No light illumes thee now, 

But it will come! 

— Now, little world, thou 'It be the word, a name 

That shall be crown and halo to the earth ! 

So 't is decreed ! — 

God! It has fallen! My world is shattered! 

Light has gone out forever! 

.... Why, this is madness! Am' I, then, so weak? 

Is this Napoleon ? — The arm of Fate, 

The hand that holds the destiny of France, 

Should bear a steadier nerve! 

Ah, thou hast shown thy loyalty 

To Josephine! — Now what thou ow'st to France! 

. \_Writes. 
'T is done! 

[Uxit. 



150 Napoleon and Joscpliine. [act v. 



SCENE FOURTH. 

EMPEEOE'S CABKvTET. 
Josephine is discovered attended hy AuorsTA and 

HOKTENSE. 

Eyiter Napoleoi^, 

Attended ly Eugene, the King and Queen of 
ISTaples, the King and Queen of "Westphalia, 
the Princess Borghese, the Chancellor Cam- 
BACERES and Count Eegnaud de Saint Jean 
d'Angel. The two latter as Officiers de 
l'etat Civil for the Imperial family. 

N^APOLEON advances to Josephine — speaks to her. 
She conies doion the stage, supported hy Aug- 
usta and HoRTENSE. 

Napoleon. (Beads.) 

" My Cousin, Prince Arch-Chancellor : — I 
sent you a closed letter of this day's date, ordering 
you to present yourself in my cabinet, that I miglit 
make known to you the resolution which I and the 
Empress, my own dear spouse, have come to. I 
was very glad that the kings, queens and princesses, 
my brothers and sisters, my brothers-in-law and 
sisters-in-law, my step-daughter and step-son, be- 
come my adopted son, should be present at what I 
had to make known to you. 

The ])olicy of my monarchy, the interest and 
necessity of my peoples, which have constantly 



SCENE IV.] Napoleon and Josephine. 151 

guided all my actions, require that I should leave 
after me to children, inheritors of my love for my 
people, this throne on which Providence has placed 
me. For many years, however, I have lost the 
hope of having children by my marriage with my 
well beloved spouse, the Empress Josephine ; this 
it is that induces me to sacrifice the dearest affec- 
tions of my heart, to hearken only to the good of 
the State, and desire the dissolution of our marriage. 
Arrived at the age of forty, I conceive the hope 
of living long enough to bring up after my own 
mind and my own views, the children it shall 
please Providence to give me. God knows how 
much such a resolution has cost my heart; but 
there is no sacrifice too great for my courage, when 
it is demonstrated to me that it is for the good of 
France. I cannot conclude without saying, that 
inY from having ever had reason to complain, I 
have, on the contrary, only encomiums to bestow 
on the attachment and tenderness of my well-be- 
loved spouse. She has embellished fifteen years of 
my life ; the memory of this will always remain 
engraved on the memory of my heart. She has 
been crowned by my hand ; it is my desire that 
she retain the rank and title of Empress, but above 
all, that she never doubt my sentiments, and that 
she always hold me for her best and dearest friend. 

Josephine. — [i-eads^ 

*' With the permission — 

\_Hands 3IS. to 31. Regnaiid.'] 

Kegnaud [reacts.] 
" With the permission of my august and dear 



152 ■ Napoleon and Josephine. [act v. 

spouse, I must declare, that retaining no hope of 
liaving children who may satisfy the requirements 
of his policy and the interests of France, I have 
pleasure in giving him the greatest proof of attach- 
ment and devotedness that was ever given on earth. 
I owe all to his bounty; it was his liand that 
crowned me, and on his throne I have received only 
manifestations of affection and love from the French 
people. 

I think, to evince my gratitude for all these 
sentiments, in consenting to the dissolution of a 
marriage which is now an obstacle to the good of 
France, which deprives it of the happiness of being 
one day governed by the descendants of a great 
man, so evidently raised up by Providence, to efface 
the evils of a terrible revolution, and to re-estab- 
the altar, the throne and social order. But the dis- 
solution of my marriage will make no change in 
the sentiments of my heart — in me the Emperor 
will always have his best friend! I know how 
much this act, commanded by policy, and by such 
great interests, has rent his heart, but we both of 
us glory in the sacrifice which we make to the 
good of the country." 

(Josephine falls.) 
Josephine. 

(Napoleon, ivith folded arms, regarding her.) 

At last! At last! 

The end has come. And now I pass beyond 
Those scenes where, with our happiness, 
Ever must we feel orrief's bitter stin2;s. 



SCENE IV.] Napoleon and Josephine. 153 

Now, now those wondrous visions of my youth 

No longer are concealed. Time's hand hath traced 

In living letters all. — Swiftly they speed 

Before me, one by one — and now return 

In life-like form, to tell me of the past. 

— Yes, more than queen wast thou, O Josephine! 

— Ah! ah! — My hammock! — Mary's voice! — The 

sea! 
The sea! 

— Was 't even so ? — How true to history! 
^peed! Speed! My eyes do weaken — Oh I would 
See all ere I depart! — 'T is gone! 't is gone! — 
— Again they come — but different forms — 
The future — ah, the future! 
Oh, tell on! 
— Confusion — war — once more a throne! 

{Ap>parition of Louis Napoleon.) 

Hortense I 
Hortense, behold your son ! 
* . . . . 

Part, part your elements, etherial dome ! 
Bright angels, it is finished! Bear me home ! 
Farewell, oh earth ! Farewell Naj^oleon ! 

IDies. 

* See page 154. 



]o4 Napoleon and Josephine. [act y. 

All ivithdraw except Eugene, Augusta 
and HoRTENSE, who fall on their knees 
hy the side of Josephine — Napoleon, 
as before, silently regarding her. 

As Josephine's last words are concluded, 
the Island of St. Helena is disclosed, 
against which the waves are dashing, 
enveloped in clouds. 

The clouds are lifted, when the grave of 
Napoleon is discovered — the spirit of 
the departed Josephine hovering over 
it. 

\_Cur tain falls. 



* The following lines may be added here, should 
occasion require them: 

Apparition of Napoleon IV. 

And liis! And his! — the Fourth Na])oleon! 
Great France! at last your happiness has come! 




II i III nil i III III II I 

016 112 381 A 







